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

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CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES Refined Alternative 6 Special Status Species Impact 1 - Potentially Significant: Raising Lemon Reservoir Dam could result in short-term construction-related disturbance to bald eagle roosting, I nesting, and feeding behavior. Sensitive wildlife species such as bald eagles and other raptors are known to nest in the general region. It is suspected that a nest maybe located on the west side of Lemon Reservoir (pers. comm., Scott Waite, CDOW 1999 and Kip, Stransky CDOW 2000). The reservoir may provide a food base for eagles. , The surrounding trees in the ponderosa forest may provide perch and roosting habitat. Construction-related activities, noise, and line-of-site visual disturbances may affect eagles and other raptors, such as osprey. Ospreys are known to nest in the vicinity of Lemon Reservoir. A confirmed nest site has been active for the past eight years adjacent to Lemon Reservoir (pers. comm., Scott Waite CDOW 1999). Mitigation for Refined Alternative 6 Special Status Species Impact 1: Prior to construction, field surveys would be conducted to identify bald eagle and osprey nest and use sites within the construction influence zone. A wildlife protection plan would be developed that would incorporate procedures and recommendations for the control of noise and human disturbance. Consultation I may be required under the ESA concerning bald eagle impacts. At the time construction plans and designs become available, a constraints and opportunities analysis would be conducted to determine the most practicable, least damaging construction techniques and facility siting to be incorporated into project plans and specifications. The wildlife management plan would identify and locate the zones of bald eagle and osprey sensitivity, recommend methods and procedures for impact avoidance, establish BMPs for noise control and minimization, and provide procedures for construction monitoring. Refined Alternative 6 Special Status Species Impact 2 - Potentially Significant: Construction of the NNMP could impact southwestern willow flycatcher nesting habitat at two crossings of the San Juan River. This is the same impact as Refined Alternative 4 Special Status Species Impact 3. Mitigation for Refined Alternative 6 Special Status Species Impact 2: Schedule construction of pipeline crossings to avoid construction during periods when the willow flycatcher is present. Mitigation is the same as Refined Alternative 4 Mitigation for Special Status Species Impact 3. Refined Alternative 6 Special Status Species Impact 3 - Potentially Significant: Acquisition of water rights resulting in the abandonment and dewatering of irrigation canals and altering existing hydrology within the Pine, La Plata, Mancos, and McElmo River Basins may adversely affect southwestern willow flycatcher habitat near surface waters. Conversion of approximately 1,200 acres of riparian wetlands, particularly those with extensive stands of willows near existing surface water, may contribute to the loss of willow flycatcher habitat. The species breeds in dense riparian habitats, not only along rivers and streams, but in other wetlands as well. The vegetation can be dominated by dense growths of willows or other shrubs and medium-sized trees. Almost all flycatcher-breeding habitats are within proximity (less than 20 yards) to water or very saturated soil. This water may be in the form of large rivers, smaller streams, springs, or marshes. It is recognized that only a portion of the estimated 1,200 acres of wetland/riparian habitat may provide the density and type of vegetation near surface waters that would be optimal for flycatchers. However, the areas around some of the larger irrigation canals, ponds and rivers, particularly those with dense patches I We IT11111IChe Construction AUhOfIY 3-121 3.7 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES P.O. Box AA - Towaoc, CO 81334