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<br />OfJ2110 <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />Irretrievable commitments associated with the development alternatives would include the following issues: <br />1) conversion of closed forest stands to more open, gladed stands or subalpine meadows would alter the mosaic <br />of habitat types which could irretrievably alter the native flora and fauna in the proposed expansion area; <br />2) wetland functions and aesthetic values would be impaired or eliminated during the life of the ski area where <br />proposed roads/catwalks cross them; 3) disturbance of alpine habitats could result in irretrievable impacts to <br />white-tailed ptarmigan and pika that depend on these fragile plant communities, and reduction of mature and <br />recruitment/old growth spruce-fIr stands would decrease habitat for manen, boreal owls, three-toed woodpeckers, <br />golden-crowned kinglets, and other wildlife associated with late seral stage coniferous forests; 4) fragmentation <br />and reduction of average block size of mixed conifer and aspen habitats would irretrievably reduce forest-interior <br />species populations but probably increase edge-tolerant and open habitat species populations, and could reduce <br />species evenness and alpha diversity; and 5) construction of linear lift lines and catwalks and associated removal <br />of some stands, especially recruitment old growth which do not always readily reestablish, could irretrievably <br />affect the visual quality of Aspen Highlands. <br /> <br />Sectiolll/I <br />Irreversible/Irretrievable CommitmenJ of RuolITces <br /> <br />37 <br />