WSP08026

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Title: Correspondence regarding the Draft Supplement to the 1980 Final Environmental Statement
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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review impact statements for the requisite information on the
proposed discharges to examine.whether the proposal is consistent
with the 404(b) (1.) Guidelines.- If, in EPA's judgment, the EIS
does not contain the requisite information, EPA is to inform the
lead agency of such conclusions for the consideration by the lead
agency, the Office on Management and Budget and Congress.

Further, as noted in the NOI, the list of specific project
features that were described in the project plan but not included
in the 1.980 404(b) (1) analysis attached to the 1980 EIS includes
the proposed Ridges Basin Dam and Reservoir. Wetland conditions
in Ridges Basin have been affected by management of the basin for
wildlife habitat, and therefore, the wetland conditions there
need to be carefully documented for the purposes of implementing
acceptable wetland mitigation. In addition, we understand
Reclamation is considering a revised recreational plan at Ridges
Basin which involves a major recreational development on lands
adjacent to the proposed reservoir which could affect existing
elk habitat. Alternative Ridges Basin Reservoir recreational
plans could be considered in the Supplemental EIS process. While
the NOI listed the Southern Ute Dam and the 1.3 river crossings by
the proposed canals among the features not included in the
404 (b) (1) analysis completed in 1.980, it is not clear from this
list wh",th"'L Lh", w",c-lands-which could be lost due to irrigation
improvements during Phase II of the project will be delineated
and a plan for mitigation developed for these wetland losses.

EPA Region VIII will provide assistance to your office as
appropriate which may help expedite the admittedly complicated
404(b) (1.) analysis and review of the Supplemental EIS. Since the
404(r) exemption process involves simultaneous review and
evaluation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA, we
recommend an early meeting between our agencies to clarify
informational needs and coordinate activities such as wetland
delineation. Please call me at [phone] or Weston Wilson
of our staff at [phone] if we may further clarify our
concerns.

Sincerely,

);

Max H. Dodson, Director
Water Management Division

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