Project Grant R24AP00278

THE PURPOSE OF THE GRAND VALLEY UNIT (UNIT) OF THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL PROJECT IS TO DECREASE SALT LOADING TO THE COLORADO RIVER. THE UNIT IMPROVED CANAL AND LATERAL SYSTEMS IN MESA COUNTY, COLORADO. AS THESE IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE, SCATTERED WETLANDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE HABITAT WERE DRIED UP AND LOST. TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS LOSS, RECLAMATION WORKED WITH THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND THE COLORADO PARKS WILDLIFE TO ACQUIRE, DEVELOP, AND PRESERVE PERMANENT WILDLIFE HABITATS ALONG THE COLORADO RIVER. HCSWA CONSISTS OF 1,206 ACRES, RUNNING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES OF THE COLORADO RIVER WEST OF FRUITA, COLORADO.THE UNITED STATES ACTING THROUGH THE RECLAMATION ACQUIRED FEE TITLE LAND AND WITHDRAWN LAND FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND HCSWA. HCSWA WAS ACQUIRED AND DEVELOPED TO MITIGATE AND REPLACE THE INCIDENTAL LOSS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNIT OF THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL PROJECT. THE LANDS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT FULFILL RECLAMATION S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT AND THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE UNIT, STAGE II DEVELOPMENT. DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLANS ARE PREPARED COOPERATIVELY WITH THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (SERVICE). DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE LANDS ARE MONITORED BY THE SERVICE.THE OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT, MANAGE, AND MAINTAIN THE REPLACEMENT HABITAT AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE HCSWA THROUGH RECREATION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND ADDITIONAL WILDLIFE HABITAT. THE FOLLOWING TASKS REPRESENT ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULED. FLEXIBILITY FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS, POSSIBLE FLOODING FROM RUNOFF, HIGH WATER TABLES IN FIELDS, AND FULL-TIME LABOR.