WSP05094

• File Number: 8277.600.10
• Description: Big Sandy River Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: WY
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 2/1/1988
• Title: U.S.D.A. Selected Plan - Big Sandy River Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Definite Plan Report

Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation
Exxon Oil Co. (Mitigation)
Local Industries and Private Businesses
Wyoming Wildlife Federation
Wyoming Water Development Commission - Mitigation Fund
Lander One Shot Club
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gift Catalogues
The Nature Conservancy
Rocky Mountain Conservation Fund
Wyoming Range Stewardship Program

SCS will continue to be active on this committee and keep them
informed about the salinity control activities in the area. SCS
will encourage the committee and the potential assistance sources
to participate in cost sharing with dollars, labor, equipment,
and/or construction materials to meet the goals of the committee
and the USDA salinity control program.

The original wetland habitat replacement methodology developed by
interagency biologists concentrated on the voluntary development,
preservation, and enhancement of Types 3, 4, 9, and 10. However, during
the implementation of the Selected Plan, the voluntary replacement of
wetland and upland wildlife values foregone will be determined based on
the needs indicated by the USFWS's Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP).

HEP is a species-habitat approach to impact assessment and replacement
needs. Habitat quality for selected evaluation species is documented
with an index, the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI). This value is derived
from an evaluation of the ability of key habitat components to supply
the life requisites of selected wildlife species. The evaluation involves
using the same key habitat components to compare existing habitat
conditions and optimum habitat conditions for the species of interest.

Tbe decision to use HEP for wildlife during the installation of the
Selected Plan is based on the following:

1) HEP will document secondary wildlife values provided by the
installation of irrigation water management practices such as
irrigation-regulating reservoirs, wasteways for water control,
sediment control basins, and conservation-cropping systems.

2) HEP will document the wildlife values associated with the
potential to reduce water level fluctuations in Eden and
Big Sandy Reservoirs.

3) HEP will document the wildlife values associated with any
wildlife development undertaken in the area by the WGFD, BLM, or
private organizations.

4) HEP is an excellent tool to determine impacts on actions that
affect wildlife habitat which are undertaken voluntarily,
incrementally, and in locations known only at the time of an
individual's participation in the program.

CC!11bS

4-16

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