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<br />cattail development, whereas areas receiving periodic flow support bulrushes. Irrigation probably <br />plays a critical role in wetland total water budget, especially the shallow wetlands peripheral to <br />irrigation ditches. These wetlands show an immediate response to imgation inputs and tend to <br />dry up once irrigation ceases in Fall. <br />2.4.1.2 Functions and Values <br />Site wetlands and riparian zone along riverbanks are habitat to leopard frogs, snakes, song birds, <br />migratory waterfowl, and upland game. Upland game includes mule deer, rabbits, quail, and <br />pheasant. The 33-acre island in northern portion of site is roosting habitat for bald eagles. <br />Site wetlands also appear to provide storage and conveyance of floodwater. Water quality <br />improvements are gained as water flows through wetlands by filtering sediment and contaminants <br />prior to return flow into receiving waters. These wetlands occur on privately owned land thus <br />limiting public access and recreational value. <br />2.4.2 Wetlands Indirectly Affected <br />The 4.8 acres of wetlands occurring along south site perimeter tail water ditch could be indirectly <br />impacted by mining and reclamation. Site mining could result in removal of adjacent aquifer <br />material north of wetlands, possibly perturbing the established groundwater flow system by <br />changing hydraulic head gradients. Preliminary groundwater monitoring indicates groundwater <br />flows from east to west. Reclamation involving the Texas Crossing could also impact the <br />groundwater flow system by changing head gradients during high water events. During periods of <br />high water, surface elevations within the Texas Crossing will be higher than adjacent water-table <br />elevations to the south thus changing configuration of potentiometric surface and direction of <br />groundwater flow. <br />The 4.8 acres of wetlands fringe the tail water ditch that runs from east to west towards the river <br />where it eventually discharges during high flow. Water inputs are probably from the seeps and <br />irrigation water based on timing and volume of flow. Functions and values are similar to the other <br />site wetlands as described in section 1.4.1.2. <br />2-7 <br />