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f ,..., if; '.., ':1:. _'''';l.!...t' c...... '. Transmission Line access road and County Road 104 already provide limited access to the same area as the Cunningham and Nast Tunnel access roads. Therefore, only the Mormon-Carter access road provides access to a somewhat primitive area. The availability of these roads for public use will be determined in cooperation with the Forest Service and the other cooperating agencies. Impact of public access and use on the areas and resources therein will be of major concern in the determination of opening or closing these roads to public use. 7. Comment - IV-87. When will the 80-foot season fluctuation occur at Pueblo Reservoir? Will it coincide with waterfowl migration times? What will the effect be on food supply, edge, cover, resting or wintering habitat? Will the fluctuation enhance or inhibit the population? These questions should be addressed before evaluating the overall impact as beneficial as is done on pages IV-90 and IX-16. What are that specific projections for the 2,000 acres the reservoir will create as compensation? Where will the waterfowl which winter at the reservoir be displaced from? . Response: The anticipated fluctuation of Pueblo Reservoir for a 40-year study period is shown on Figure II-56. These studies show that the reservoir will begin to fill in the fall, flooding manage- ment areas favorable to waterfowl. These areas will be planted to crops and native vegetation for supplemental waterfowl food. Food plantings will be made more available by flooding. A number of these areas have been developed by constructing earthen dikes in strategic locations forming water catchment basins for normal runoff and when the lake fluctuates. These areas and catchment basins will help waterfowl by creating off-lake watering and resting areas. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, large fluctuations in Pueblo Reservoir will limit food and cover for waterfowl; however, considerable numbers of ducks and lesser numbers of geese will rest on the reservoir on their annual migration. Under Project conditions, and due to the absence of waterfowl food in the area, the Fish and Wildlife Service predict few, if any, waterfowl will remain through the hunting season. In a report by Richard M. Hopper, Colorado Division of Wildlife, on migrating bird investigations, November1966, it is predicted that Pueblo Reservoir will increase wildlife habitat by nearly 2,000 acres which is expected to yield overall significant increases in wintering population of ducks and geese. The 25,000 ducks will be displaced during the winter from the area of the Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam. Freezing of the river due to reduced flows is given as the reason for the displacement. 8. Comment - V-4. The contract should specify that rehabilitation will be assured. The contractor should also be required to seed abandoned roads and cleared areas after scarifying. . XI-239