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<br />ro <br />00 <br />~ <br />o <br />.:.--:' <br />:::> <br /> <br />Chapter III <br /> <br />AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND <br />ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br /> <br />of "riparian" cover type would represent approximately 5.0 HUs. Similarly, <br />0.3 HU of tamarisk and 1.4 HUs of shrub land would be lost. Some 6.75 total <br />HUs would then be lost as a result of the proposed project. The <br />approximately 2,090 acres of habitat identified for mitigation of Stage Two <br />impacts would be increased to replace the additional 6.75 HUs (Bureau of <br />Reclamation, 1986a). Approximately 27 additional acres of habitat <br />acquisition and development would be required. This total would be added <br />to the habitat requirements of the overall Grand Valley Unit. These lands <br />are being acquired along the Colorado River. In addition, construction <br />specifications and construction monitoring would preserve cottonwood trees <br />where feasible. <br /> <br />The above approach does not address the issue of loss of watering sites if <br />the Stubb Ditch is buried in pipe. Individual animals of many species <br />undoubtedly use the Stubb Ditch for water during the irrigation season. <br />The proposed project will have no direct physical impacts north of the <br />Stubb Ditch. However, indirect impacts from the loss of a water source for <br />wildlife inhabiting salt-desert shrub communities north of the Stubb Ditch <br />are anticipated. Reclamation proposes to install four water guzzlers north <br />of the Stubb Ditch at sites selected in cooperation with the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife, the FWS, the BLM and private landowners. <br /> <br />Recreation <br /> <br />Present Conditions <br /> <br />Although the Price and Stubb Ditches were originally constructed to carry <br />irrigation water to adjacent farmland, that farmland is being rapidly <br />replaced by residential developments. Both the proximity of the ditches to <br />greater numbers of people and the lack of readily available bicycle and <br />jogging paths have resulted in the ditch maintenance roads becoming a <br />recreational resource to local residents. While examining the Price and <br />Stubb Ditches on March 14-15, 1990, Reclamation personnel observed numerous <br />area residents using the ditch maintenance roads for jogging, bicycle <br />riding, walking the family dog, and horse-back riding. These ditches and <br />their maintenance roads are constructed on easements and are not public <br />property. <br /> <br />Definitive studies of the recreational use along ditches and canals within <br />the Grand Valley have not been conducted, but observations of other canals <br />during Stage Two studies indicate significant public use including <br />unauthorized swimming in some of the larger canals. The Price and Stubb <br />Ditches are probably too small to support many water sports, and their <br />location at the northeastern end of the valley probably limit their use to <br />local residents. However, the Stubb Ditch's location near I-70 at the base <br />of the desert-shrub rangelands north of the study area, may contribute to <br />its popularity as a recreational area. If the use observed in March 1990 <br />is representative, the Price and Stubb Ditches probably receive several <br />thousand days of recreational use per year. <br /> <br />Some unauthorized hunting may occur along the ditches. The Stubb Ditch's <br />location near I-70, and the developments nearby make such activities a <br />safety hazard. The developments on both sides of the Price Ditch limit any <br />type of shooting sport. <br /> <br />Recreational use of the ditches and their maintenance roads causes <br />increased liability to the Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts <br /> <br />25 <br />