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<br />"'rk. <br />,&::..:-~ <br />"J'--:~... <br /> <br />;~ ::::.: ~ <br />':.;....:.;0: <br />'''_0;.'' <br /> <br />TABLE 3 <br /> <br />(Cover TVDe Summarv-Dro;ected chanqes) <br /> <br />w <br />U1 <br />C <br />0) <br /> <br />The cover type report reflects projected conversion of a <br />particular cover type due to implementation of salinity <br />control measures. Potential wetland conversions were the <br />result of de-watering (this includes stands of willows <br />associated with ditches and laterals replaced with buried <br />pipe) and enhancement. Large acreages of annual herbland <br />will be converted (all to pasture and hayland or perennial <br />herbland). The majority of this land was actually tilled <br />pasture and hay land (temporarily abandoned) which had lain <br />dormant long enough to establish annual weed cover. Many <br />irrigated orchards in the McElmo Creek salinity area have <br />died out or are not economically productive and are being <br />converted to pasture and hayland. For the most part these <br />orchards are very low in value for wildlife as they are <br />grazed heavily by livestock and are surrounded by fences <br />capable of keeping large mammals out. Small acreages of <br />native rangeland (sagebrush, 4-winged saltbush) and woody <br />vegetation (cottonwoods, pinon and juniper and greasewood) <br />may be removed and converted to pasture and hay land in order <br />to square up existing fields to facilitate the installation <br />and use of sprinkler siderolls. Some native rangeland will <br />be converted to perennial herbland to improve upland <br />wildlife habitat. Perennial herblal!d.has increased in <br />acreage as nativ~ rangeiand, annual herbland, and pasture <br />and hay land have been planted to grass/legume mixtures for <br />wildlife nesting cover. The greatest change has been the <br />increase in acreage of pasture and hay land for the reasons <br />stated above. One category excluded in the following <br />summary of woody vegetation is the loss of mature <br />cottonwoods. Individual trees lost have been documented in <br />the Environmental Evaluation of each contract. The loss of <br />groups of mature cottonwoods is reflected in the HUV report <br />(table 5) evaluating owl habitat. The figure (-217.04) <br />reflects the loss of groups of-5 or more cottonwoods (no <br />greater than l/loth acre) or the decrease in number of other <br />cover types within a 10 acre radius of thos~ groups. <br /> <br />B-3 <br />