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<br />as of 1972, while allowing Colorado and other Upper Basin states to develop full use of their ..
<br />Colorado River Compact apportioned water. The salinity level in the Colorado River is presently
<br />around 669 mg/l; well below the 1972 levels of 879 mg/l. Therefore, there is no conflict between
<br />the Carriage Contract and the Salinity Control Program,
<br />
<br />Although new sQils to be irrigated are low in selenium, selenium loading to the San Juan River
<br />may occur during the initial leaching of soils, Overall, selenium loading from newly irrigated.
<br />lands is expected to be low because of soil quality , irrigation efficiencies, and the relatively small
<br />acreage of new lands, Selenium loading in return flows from newly irrigated lands will be
<br />monitored by DWCD in cooperation with the U,S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
<br />
<br />Fish and Wildlife Resources--The proposed action should have little effect on fish and wildlife
<br />resources. Many commentorson the draft EA were concerned with effects on the Dolores River
<br />fishery downstream from McPhee Reservoir, They believed all or a portion of the 8,000 acre-
<br />feet of water should be made available to the Dolores River.
<br />
<br />The downstream trout fishery is presently managed under a fishery "pool" designated in McPhee
<br />Reservoir to provide downstream releases. The pool consists of 29,300 acre-feet of water
<br />Supplemented by up to 3,900 acre-feet of water decreed to downstream senior water rights, The
<br />senior water rig\lt supply is dependent upon Colorado water rig\lts administration system and
<br />may not be a fiqn supply ifthdse rights are abandoned or otherwise not beneficially used under
<br />Colorado water law, A pool of at least 36,500 acre-feet has been suggested to enhance the
<br />downstream fishery, The 8,000 acre-feet of water involved in the Carriage Contract is private
<br />water, not part of, nor available for, the fishery pool. Thus, the Carriage Contract does not .
<br />significantly impact the fishery resource.
<br />
<br />Because the newly irrigated lands are already being dryland farmed, no significant wildlife
<br />habitat losses aI'e projected and minor gains may occur.
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<br />Threatened ant{ Endan~ered Species-- The Service has issued a biological opinion on the
<br />proposed Contract. It concluded that the Mancos milk-vetch, Knowlton's cactus, Mesa Verde
<br />cactus, Mexican spotted owl, and black-footed ferret would not be affected and that the bald
<br />eagle and southwestern willow flycatcher may be affected, but would not likely be adversely
<br />affected, by water quality changes,
<br />
<br />The SerVice also concluded that selenium and salt loading in the San Juan River as the resultof
<br />new irrigation may affect, but not likely adversely affect, the Colorado pikemirinow and
<br />razorback sucker and their critical habitat due to insignificant impacts relative to the expected
<br />contribution of salts and selenium. While accretions to the streamflow in the San Juan Rivet
<br />would be beneficial to these fish, the continued depletion of 8,000 acre-feet of water from the
<br />Dolores River may affect and is likely to adversely affect the pikeminnow, razorback, humpback
<br />chub, and bonytail in the Colorado River. Depletions from any new or historic water use in the
<br />upper Colorado River Basin are considered an adverse effect. Historic depletions, however, are
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