2011-05-12_PERMIT FILE - M2011028 (2)

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CHAPTER 5 PURPOSE AND NEED, RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMITMENTS seeding disturbed areas using native plant species to assist in the re-establishment of native vegetation as described under Mitigation for Refined Alternative 4 Vegetation Impact 5 in Section 3.4. Where feasible, directional borings will be used for river pipeline crossings. Reclamation will compensate the loss of approximately 1,645 acres of upland vegetation resulting from the construction of the Ridges Basin Reservoir, the Durango Pumping Plant, and other features as described under Mitigation for Refined Alternative 4 Vegetation Impacts 1 and 2 in Section 3.4 as part of the wildlife mitigation plan. The compensation will be part of the total estimated 2,700-2,900 acres of wildlife habitat to be acquired and enhanced to compensate the loss of wildlife habitat in Ridges Basin. The mitigation land acquisition will be completed prior to initiation of ground-breaking construction activities at the reservoir and pumping plant sites. Reclamation will attempt to acquire large contiguous acreage and will attempt to acquire these lands first in the river basins that will be affected by the ALP Project, and then outside of those basins, with the final decision made in consultation with state and federal wildlife agencies. Reclamation will compensate the loss of 134 acres of wetland/riparian habitat at a mitigation ratio sufficient to replace or exceed the habitat value of wetland/riparian habitat lost as described under Mitigation for Refined Alternative 4 Vegetation Impacts 3 and 4 in Section 3.4. Reclamation will replace lost wetland/riparian areas at a planned ratio of 1.5:1, thus creating approximately 200 acres of replacement wetlands. Mitigation will involve a program of land acquisition, wetland development, and long-term management. To the extent possible, this program will be integrated into the wildlife habitat mitigation program to expand benefits and provide large blocks of contiguous wildlife habitat. For purposes of this FSEIS, it is assumed 600 acres will be necessary for the wetland program. Because of limited water supplies for new wetland creation in the region, restoration of degraded wetlands will be an important component of any wetland plan. As with wildlife habitat mitigation, the La Plata River Basin will be given first priority for wetland development. Lands for wetland mitigation will be acquired prior to initiation of construction of Ridges Basin Dam and overall wetland mitigation physical features will be at least 95 percent completed prior to beginning reservoir filling. Reclamation will also monitor the Animas River riparian corridor to help determine any effects of the pumping regime on these downstream resources. The monitoring will also include Basin Creek wetlands. Reclamation will also limit ground disturbing activities due to construction of the NNMP and other pipelines and will replace in a 2:1 ratio, riparian trees (cottonwoods) lost due to construction. Reclamation will require that development of non-binding end uses avoids or minimizes construction impacts to wetland and riparian vegetation located within corridor alignments of the non-binding water conveyance pipelines. Reclamation will require that construction zones be kept to the minimum size needed to meet project objectives. If avoidance is not possible, a riparian/wetland mitigation and monitoring plan will be developed to compensate for the loss of vegetation cover as described under Mitigation for Refined Alternative 4 Vegetation Impact 8 in Section 3.4. 5.4.5 Wildlife Commitments Reclamation will mitigate the direct and indirect loss of approximately 2,700-2,900 acres of wildlife habitat through the purchase, enhancement, and management of approximately 2,700-2,900 acres of suitable land as described under Mitigation for Refined Alternative 4 Wildlife Impact 1 in Section 3.5. The actual amount of land that will be acquired to obtain this level of mitigation will depend on the potential wildlife value of the lands acquired. All reasonable attempts will be made to acquire interests in lands on a willing seller basis, using fee simple purchases, conservation easements, purchase options, 5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS 5-12 P.O. Box AA - T owaoc, C® t?lv" I? ?.N ? MA S GC.ACt ECL Gt2.n.llGZ