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<br /> <br />O~1562 <br /> <br />INVENTORY AND FORECASTING <br /> <br />Scopinq of Concerns <br /> <br />The problems and opportunities of the Trinidad Lake North <br />Watershed are directly related to the capabilities and the degree <br />of management or mismanagement of the watershed's resources. The <br />inventory and analysis phases for this plan used a scoping <br />process to identify those economic, environmental, and social <br />areas of primary concern. Specialists gathered detailed <br />information on the current resource conditions. A projection of <br />future conditions was made in order to formulate and compare <br />alternatives and estimate their impacts. <br /> <br />During the initial stages of planning an analysis of a broad <br />range of economic, environmental, and social factors in the <br />watershed was carried out. Those factors that were directly <br />related to the problems and opportunities and/or those that might <br />be significantly affected by any potential project were <br />considered. Table A lists the factors considered in this scoping <br />process and their perceived significance to project formulation <br />and decision-making. <br /> <br />Factors rating "Low" or "None" in Table A were not likely to <br />be affected by the project and were considered insignificant to <br />decision-making. Therefore, these factors are not discussed in <br />this document. Those factors that have a "High" or "Medium" <br />impact on the watershed would be affected by the project and were <br />considered as significant in decision making. A detailed study <br />was then made on these factors by assessing the current <br />conditions, formulating and comparing alternatives, and <br />determining impacts of a selected plan. <br /> <br />Excessive erosion on range and grazeable woodland was <br />identified as a concern during this process. Along with this <br />erosion came the concern over sedimentation in Trinidad Lake as <br />well as other multi-purpose ponds in the area. The potential <br />loss of floodwater protection in Trinidad Lake due to sediment <br />loading was also noted. In that Trinidad Lake is used for <br />recreation, water quality was identified as a concern. <br /> <br />The turbidity of Trinidad Lake, caused by sediment loading, <br />may have negative effects on the lake as well as the associated <br />wetlands. <br /> <br />Wildlife species of the area are typical of southern <br />Colorado. The wildlife population includes moderate numbers of <br />mule deer, high numbers of black bear and turkey, as well as a <br />limited elk herd. The lack of riparian vegetation along streams <br />in the watershed adversely impacts wildlife. The fur bearing <br />game and non-game animals present in the area are represented by <br /> <br />17 <br /> <br />