WSP05534

• File Number: 8273.600
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - USDA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/1/1994
• Author: USDA
• Title: Monitoring and Evaluation Report for the McElmo Creek Unit of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - 1993 Annual Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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7. Monitoring Plan

Initially, the McElmo Creek EIS planned for 15 CRSC
contracted operating units to be selected each year for 3
years (for a total of 45 units) for monitoring habitat
changes. These would then be evaluated at 3 year intervals
for the life of the program and beyond. Only 9 units were
contrac~ad during the first year, and of those, 8 were re-
evaluated for applied condi~ion in 1992. Another 16
contracts for 1991 were randomly selected and evaluated for.
applied condition also. A summary of the results of
monitoring these 24 contracts appears in Appendix C. Twenty
.oneadditional units will be selected from 1992's contracts
for evaluating applied condition in 1994. Additionally, we
have been tracking all changes on every contract which
duplicates operating unit monitoring.

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8. Off-site Wetland Monitoring

The offsite wetland. monitoring consists of the following
items completed at 5 year intervals:

1) Purchase true color aerial photography at a scale of
1:2400 along random, representative flight lines within each
project area.. Flight lines represent 20-25% of. the Lower
Gunnison project area and approxi~ately 80% of McElmo.

.;e",:: 2) Purchase (locally) mylar overlays for the photographs.
~~J Delineates wetlands according to Circular 39 types on the
mylar overlays. This step is done in the field until the
delineator is comfortable with interpretation of the wetland
signatures on the photographs. Color code or label the
different wetland types. Cortez will randomly select 40% of
their photographs for wetland delineation. Delta and
Montrose will delineate wetlands on 100% of their
photographs. Delineations. will be completed within one year
interval before the next flight.

3) Measure acres of each wetland type using a planimeter.
Total the acres of each wetland type. Record and save this
information. This step will be completed within the 5 year
interval before the next flight.

4) Aerial photo flight transects and all applied salinity
practices will be located on County maps, USGS quads, or
other appropriate map base. These maps will be used to help
related changes in wetland acres and applied salinity
practices. This step will be completed within the 5 year
interval before the next flight

5) Determine changes in acres of wetland types for the
desired time frame.

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