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6 The ~valuatlons of fish and wi ldlife resources presented in t.he preceding portion of this report are premised on free public access to the area Involved. San Luis Lake lies entirely on lands belonging to the State of Co]oradoand will not be acquired for project purposes. It Is assumed, however, that free public use of the lake, as has been provided to date through leasing arrangements by the Colorado Department of Game and Fish, wl]1 continue throughout the period of project analysis. Development Plan Trout hatching and rearing facilities operated by the Colorado Department of Game and Fish and the Bureau of Sport FI$heries and Wildl]fe in this general area are presently Inadequate due to limited water supplies of suitable qualIty and quantity, Establishment of hatchery and rearing units within the project area would enhance fIsh cultural operations, Studies, however, wIll need to be made after the project isin operation to deter- mine if water quality would be suitable for this purpose. Use of the water would be almost entirely nonconsumptlve and would not affect the feasibility of the project. Although It Is im- practicable for fish hatchery sites to be selected or plans to be developed prior to project.operatlon, ILls well to recognize at this time that the Bureau of Sport Fisheries .and Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Game and Fish both plan to investigate fish hatchery feasibility in relation to the project and Involving nonconsumptive use of project .waters. The main conveyancechanne I will not have the qua 1 I t I eswh I ch makeup a good fishery. Food, cover, and spawning sites will be scarce or nonexistent. Lining the channel and laterals with rubble and gravel could, under proper flow conditions, create food producing and spawning areas. With gravel In the laterals, a spawning run of trout out of San Luis Lake probably could be established. The average depth of the water could be Increased and cover for the fish created by small stop-log dams In the ~aln channel. These dams should have a one-foot drop and $hould be constructed as often as the gradient of the channel will permit. Boulders and large rocks could also be placed In the channel for additional cover, provided that such modifications in de~lgl'\-.~ul~ notslg- niflcantly impair project .operations. ',;'. .,~J'. ,# Additional studies will be necessary to determine if the pumped water has sufficient oxygen to support fish life. If Itis found that the water is deficient In oxygen, aeration maybe necessary by means of a series of drops located near the water source. The replacement of extensive wetlands within the project area should be provided as a project cost. About 8,000 acres of land,