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APPENDIX C l3.c ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS Through representation on the 45-~ember Animas - La Plata advisory team and public meetings, close coordination has been maintained and input received from the environmental community during the plan formulation process. As a result, major environmental improvements have been made in the project plan since authorization. Through the use of pumping plants, about 25 miles of diversion canal in the Animas River Canyon was eliminated.. In addition to scenic degradation.this canal would have tended to impede wildlife migration and unnessarily depleted an equivalent length of the Animas River. Most of the energy required for pumping would be supplied from a new hydroelectric power plant. ~~. " " , . The irrigation distribution systems were changed to pressurized pipe, making possible the use of sprinklers. This will substantially increase water use and farm management efficiencies and at the same time reduce the projects salinity contribution to the Colorado River stream system. .',1 ; .~- , -~: _All three of the project reservoirs are now located at off-stream sites, where road relocation and other environmental degradation problems are minimized. At the original Howardsville Reservoir site there were also mineral resources that would have been inundated. :;-^.-; :'.{ ~.~ ,~. ~'>:. ' ~~! -,:-; Ridges Basin and Southern Ute Reservoirs both have large inactive pools that will enhance recreation and fish and wildlife values. - Ridges Basin Reservoir is located only four miles from the resort -ci.ty of Durango. It wj..lJ be. in the center of a big game. w;i..nter management area owned and managed by the Colorado Division of Wild- life. Use of the site is expected to be very high. -19-