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.'-.1 . I .-j III. Affected'Environment and Environmental Consequences This section addresses the proposed plan of purchase of the Lillpop land and appurtenant rights. General descriptive information about the project area can be found in FRS 79-37 and FRS 82-44 for the Closed Basin Division, San Luis Valley Project, Colorado. These documents cover many areaS of interest in des- cribing the general area but are not pertinent to this specific EA. A. Physical features 1. Location and climate. The Lillpop Ranch area is located approxi- mately 2 miles east of Alamosa in sections 18 (628 acres) and 19 (219 acres), T. 37 N, R. 11 E., as identified in figure II-I. The lands proposed for acqui- sition are now managed primarily to supply native hay and also for livestock grazing. Most of the surrounding land is livestock grazing land. The tract is adjacent to the northwest edge of the Refuge in Alamosa County, Colorado. State Highway 160 paases 1 mile to the north, and the Rio Grande Railway passes 1/4 mile north of the property. The Rio Grande borders the south side of the proposed tract. The Lillpop property is also bordered on the east by the current Refuge boundary. One l8.82-acre homestead, owned by Ernest Austin, is present along the eastern boundary in section 18. If the United States purchased the Lillpop property, this homestead would still have access by the county road but would be com- pletely surrounded by Refuge property. The Austin property and the use of this land by his family would have no detrimental effect on Refuge activities and purposes. I', <\"3':19 L~ i.) \./ ..J t... & -; S ~.~ 'Iil1 III-1