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<br /> <br /> <br />H. Summary <br /> <br /> <br />The proposed mitigation plan change related to land and appurtenant right <br /> <br />acquisition of the 847-acre Lillpop Ranch will fulfill project mitigation <br /> <br />requirements associated with the Refuge by replacement of 800 acre-feet of <br /> <br />water originally proposed to be supplied by ,water right transfer from the <br /> <br />Betty Emperious Estate and well development at the Refuge. <br /> <br />A portion of the Lillpop tract would change from private ownership and manage- <br /> <br />ment to Federal ownership and would be incorporated into the Federal refuge <br /> <br />system. The land and water resources would be managed for wildlife purposes in <br /> <br />lieu of management for livestock grazing and hay production. Waterfowl produc- <br /> <br />tion would be slightly increased because of improved habitat conditions. Habi- <br /> <br />tat for Federally listed T or E species would be enhanced under the management <br /> <br />change. From a socioeconomic standpoint, removal of land from the tax base <br /> <br />would be offset by annual payments to the county. The Lillpop brothers desire <br /> <br />to reduce their landholding and cut back on their ranching operation. Accord- <br /> <br />ingly, the social impact of Government purchase of these lands would be negli- <br /> <br />gible. Cultural resource protection would be provided by various Federal laws <br /> <br />applicable to Federal land management on lands to be acquired. <br /> <br />f~'~4" <br />\.\0U0~~ <br /> <br />III-II <br /> <br />I <br />