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o -, ,_~ J ...... o :-") ~~) Chapter I II AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Imoacts Future conditions without the proposed project are expected to follow current trends. Residential development should continue, but at a slower pace than experienced in the early 1980's. This would mean more people in the immediate area of both ditches. Some of these people may not appreciate the natural conditions along the Stubb Ditch and pressure the irrigation district for increased weed control. The proposed project would alter the appearance, and therefore the esthetics, of both the Price and Stubb Ditches. Segments of the Price Ditch to be lined would assume the appearance of a well groomed and managed conveyance system similar to the ditch's currently lined segments. The appearance of the Stubb Ditch would change dramatically with its conversion from an open ditch to a buried pipeline. Under the proposed plan, the existing Stubb Ditch would be filled and only a maintenance road would remain to mark the pipeline's location. Initial construction and subsequent termination of water seeping from the ditches would eliminate existing vegetation associated with the Price and Stubb Ditches. Excavation would create piles of raw soil and remove vegetation within ditch rights-of-ways and realignment corridors. Soil piles would be recontoured to serve the needs of the conveyance system, but the cottonwoods and other vegetation currently associated with the ditches would not be replaced. Approximately 75 percent of cottonwood trees growing in canal rights-of-way were removed during construction of Stage One (Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1984). Special construction measures should reduce this loss along the Stubb and Price Ditches. Individual trees have been designated for protection in the construction specifications. Many plant species such as cottonwoods and willows that are dependant upon water from the leaking ditches, would probably not replace themselves. Loss of the diverse vegetation associated with the Price and Stubb Ditches would have an adverse impact to the esthetics of the immediate area. There are plans to revegetate maintenance road banks and other project features. The soil disturbed during construction may cause limited problems from blowing dust or muddy streets during winter construction periods. The disturbed soil remaining from construction activities would provide an ideal seed bed for various annual plants which may be offensive to adjacent landowners. Invading plants on disturbed sites would probably include kochia, cheatgrass, and knapweed. Planned reseeding with desirable species would reduce but not eliminate this problem. This self establishing vegetation would require regular mowing, spraying, or burning to prevent it from becoming a nuisance to adjacent landowners. Construction of the proposed project would cause temporary disruptions along the rights-of-way on both the Price and Stubb Ditches which would affect individuals' access to their property as well as its aesthetic value. Disruption is most significant when these effects occur to homes or businesses. If both disruption of esthetics and access exceed what is acceptable, possible conflict could occur among property owners, the contractor, and Reclamation. Therefore, construction provisions would require the contractor to provide access to personal property and would limit the contractors work activities to daylight hours in residential areas. 27