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<br />2813 <br />Potential Impacts <br /> <br />Under either alternative, Pueblo Dam and Reservoir would continue to be operated pursuant to <br />existing operational and management plans. Flows in the Arkansas River and surface elevations <br />in Pueblo Reservoir would not change. <br /> <br />No Action Alternative - Because there is no construction, there would be no effects to historic <br />properties under this alternative. <br /> <br />Construction Alternative - This alternative would have no impact to historic properties because <br />the construction does not have an impact on any cultural resources, The SHPO has concurred that <br />there is no effect on resources eligible to the National Register of Historic Places (August 24, <br />2001). Any changes to the proposed project would require a reevaluation and possible additional <br />consultation. <br /> <br />Noxious Weeds <br /> <br />Affected Environment <br /> <br />The environment in the vicinity of Pueblo Reservoir, including the intended pipeline route is <br />characterized by short-grass prairie interspersed with shrubs. Grass species are widely diverse with <br />the most common species being comprised of blue grama, galleta, and side-oats grama, Common <br />shrubs include four-wing saltbush, big sagebrush and rabbitbrush, <br /> <br />The semi-arid climate limits tree survival. Few native tree species are found in the vicinity of Pueblo <br />Reservoir. Outside of the riparian zone where broadleaf cottonwood and peachleaf willow are <br />common native trees, one-seeded juniper and pinon pine are found in the grassland-shrub community <br />in favorable sites. The invasive saltcedar is a component of the riparian zone along the Arkansas <br />River and minor drainages and is also common in low areas with sufficient moisture. <br /> <br />Riparian habitat on lands managed by the State of Colorado below Pueblo Dam consist generally of <br />cottonwood trees with an understory of native grasses, has not been subjected to livestock grazing. and <br />is in generally good condition (Kaczmarek, 2001), <br /> <br />Salt cedar and Russian knapweed are becoming more common, Reclamation is currently researching <br />the use of biological agents at Pueblo Reservoir to control salt cedar. Riparian vegetation adjacent to <br />Pueblo Reservoiris limited to the western end where salt cedar dominates willows and scattered <br />cottonwoods, <br /> <br />Potential Impacts <br /> <br />No Action Alternative - This alternative would have no effect on noxious weeds or their dispersal, <br />because no activities would be expected to occur that might cause these impacts. <br /> <br />19 <br />