WSP06888

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/1/1982
• Author: USDA
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Final Environmental Impact Statement for Lower Gunnison Basin Unit - Montrose and Delta Counties CO and Uintah Basin Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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Current estimates indicate a gradual gro~th in the overall number of jobs
the project area. Emplo;~ent trend estimates perceive tbat the number of
in agriculture ~ill decline. All other sectors are expected to increase.
top employing sectors are expected to be ~holesale-retail trade, services,
government, mining and construction.

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jobs
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Historical and Archeological Resources

An archeological survey done under contract to the Colorado Division
of Highways near the area indicates the possibility of many sites of archeological
and historical importance ~ithin the general study area. However, there are
no known historical or archeological sites that wlII be affected by the proposed
salinity control work, which will occur in areas already disturbed by agricultural
activites. It is recognized, that the area has been occupied at various times
in the past and there is a possibility that cultural resources may be discovered
when working in previously undisturbed soils, The Colorado State Historic
Preservation Office has had discussion with the SCS to expedite both evaluation
and excavation of any sites discovered during construction for the alternative
implemented. Construction should be stopped for a maximum of 48 hours to
provide opportunity for a SHPO archeologist to observe the site, and to advise
the landowner as to potential eligibility for the National Register of Historic
Places, In addition, after construction is Slopped the Secretary of the Interior
will be notified through the Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Interagency
Archeological Services (IAS) , Washington, D.C. 20243, [phone]. IAS
will then initiate investigation within 48 hours to determine any necessary
data recovery pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regula-
tions (36 CFR 800) and Soil Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR 656).

Wildlife Resources

wetlands are an important part of the total wildlife habitat in the
Lower Gunnison River basin. Wetlands comprise about 12 percent of the total
study area, and are important because of high vegetation and wildlife diversity,
dispersion and productivity.

Historically, broad river bottoms and adjacent drainages probably supported
extensive riparian woodlands, large, dense willow stands and extensive cattail
marshes. Some open water, generally surrounded or interspersed with cattails,
was present in oxbows and sloughs. Five important wetlands frequently men-
tioned in early descriptions are the ~ncompabgre river bottom, the Gunnison
river bottom, Happy Canyon, Spring Creek and Dry Creek. These wetlands sup-
ported high populations of deer, waterfowl dnd small game; important sources
of food and clothing for Indians and early settlers.

Agricultural, residential and industrial development over the past 100 years
have had an impact on these wetlands. Fertile river bottom land has been
drained and cleared for cropland and livestock grazing has altered or destroyed
the understory in the stands that remain.

Agricultural development has also created new wetland habitat. counteracting
somewhat the loss of historic wetland habitat. The Gunnison Tunnel introduces
additional ~ater into the Lower Uncompahgre River basin that irrigates crops,

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