Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />"j <br /> <br /> <br />I. Purpose and Need <br /> <br />, j <br /> <br />A. Introduction <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamati?n) is currently constructing the Closed <br /> <br />Basin Division of the San Luis Valley Project in Alamosa and Saguache Counties, <br /> <br />Colorado. The project is a multiple-purpose water resource project designed to <br /> <br />deliver to the Rio Grande water noW being removed by evaporative processes from <br /> <br />the Closed Basin. The project was authorized by Public Law 92-514 in 1972 and <br /> <br />amended by Public Law 96-375. A Pinal Environmental Statement (FES) on the <br /> <br />project (INT PES 79-37, August 27, 1979) and Final Supplement to Final Environ- <br /> <br />mental'Statement (INT FES 82-44, September 30, 1982) describe the project devel- <br /> <br />opmertt, resources related to the project area, and expected impacts of project <br /> <br />development. <br /> <br />This Environmental Assessment (EA) is being completed to satisfy National <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Act requirements relative to the proposed acquisition of <br /> <br />847 acres of private lands (James R. Lillpop Ranch) and appurtenant rights. <br /> <br />These private lands, when added to the Alamosa National. Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) <br /> <br />and managed as part of the Refuge, would be substituted for the 800 acre-feet of <br /> <br />well water previously planned to be supplied to the existing Refuge lands for <br /> <br />mitigation of the adverse impacts'of the Closed Basin Division on waterfowl <br /> <br />habitat. <br /> <br />B. Purpose and need for action <br /> <br />The original mitigation plan developed for the project compensated for induced <br /> <br />impacts on wetland habitat resulting from construction activities and is des- <br /> <br />cribed in PES 79-37 and PES 82-44. It included the concept of no net loss of <br /> <br />1-1 <br /> <br />, ('" "33<) <br />'UU ... <br /> <br />