WSP04977

• File Number: 8543.400
• Description: Projects in the Closed Basin Division - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 3/1/1985
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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Proposed Acquisition of 847 Acres of the
James R. Lillpop Ranch and Appurtenant Rights
For Use by the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
San Luis Valley Project, Closed Basin Division, Alamosa, Colorado

This Environmental Assessment (EA) addresses the proposed land and appurtenant

rights associated with purchase of the Lillpop Ranch in lieu of the original

proposed artesian well for use as mitigation for project-caused wetland and

wetland habitat losses. The Final Supplement to the Final Environmental
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Statement for the San Luis Valley Project, Closed Basin Division (FES 82-44,

September 30, 1982), describes the total mitigation plan, including the transfer

of water rights to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) as a mitigation

measure.

The proposed modification to the mitigation plan includes use of the Lillpop

Ranch and appurtenant rights in lieu of 800 acre-feet of water originally

slated for transfer to the Refug~ from the Betty Emperious Estate described

in the Final Supplement to FES 82-44. This EA includes anticipated impacts

of Reclamation purchase of land and appurtenant rights for mitigation use and

subsequent development of these lands as a part of the existing Refuge.

With permission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the EA utilizes

significant amounts of information provided by the FWS, the Refuge, and docu-

mented in a report entitled "Land Acquisition Ascertainment Report." August 20,

1984, by Jon Kauffeld, Assistant Refuge Manager, Alamosa National Wildlife

Refuge, and provided in an unpublished EA related to the proposed acquisition

of 847 acres of Lillpop Ranch property.

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