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Final Mitigation Plan for Long Hollow Reservoir <br />La Plata River Mitigation Site (Permit No. 200375243) <br />emergent and semi-emergent wetlands, open water, improved instream habitat, and enhanced <br />riparian zone conditions. Adjacent upland buffers will also be provided at the LPRMS. <br />The design is based on the existing wetlands along the La Plata River, which are similar to the <br />wetlands along lower Long Hollow. The same species present in the wetlands will be planted at <br />the mitigation site. Fifty percent more wetlands will be created at the site than impacted in Long <br />Hollow by the dam and full reservoir pool. <br />A watershed approach was taken for the evaluation of aquatic resource functions, as detailed in <br />the Revised Mitigation Plan (February 2008). This approach considered the reduction of <br />functions from impacted wetlands in lower Long Hollow, and the increase in functions from <br />mitigation along the La Plata River and lower Long Hollow. On a watershed approach, there will <br />be an overall net increase in aquatic functions post-project. <br />2.2 Site Selection Criteria <br />The criteria used for mitigation site selection included: site size, availability, proximity to the <br />Project, conditions suitable to sustain wetland vegetation, high chance of success, and net <br />benefit to the La Plata River watershed. A limited number of sites which meet these criteria <br />exist. Initial discussions with the land owner at the LPRMS proved favorable so that <br />groundwater and pond stage data were collected at the site from February 15, 2008, to the <br />present. The data showed that shallow groundwater is present throughout the growing season, <br />and that the water level in a reclaimed aggregate pond at the site was relatively stable, <br />indicating that conditions at the site are conducive for wetland establishment. <br />Other important factors include good access, the ability to integrate the created wetlands into <br />the La Plata River riparian zone, and the ability to cover water rights requirements. <br />2.3 Site Protection Instrument <br />The mitigation site will be protected with a conservation easement that includes restrictions on <br />activities at the site and provisions for enforcement. A draft easement which will be finalized is <br />included in Appendix B. <br />August 2010 Bikis Water Consultants, LLC Page 2