OCR Text |
Show because of a reduction of pheasant production and incapability to support resting and feeding of migrating waterfowl. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has estimated an annual decrease of 17,000 man- days of hunting would occur after diking. The pheasant hunting losses would be recovered somewhat by habitat improvements resulting from irrigated lands. However, local production of pheasants would be reduced because of losses of winter habitat. Mitigation measures are discussed in Section D. There would be adverse impacts on recreational use of the lake by boaters, swimmers, water skiers, and sightseers during construction of the dikes. Utilization of Utah Lake State Park could be reduced because of the temporary disruption caused by construction activities. The permanent impacts of the diking on the Park have not yet been evaluated. However, the close proximity of the north abutment of Provo Bay Bike indicates that undesirable esthetic conditions could occur. Construction of the dike would be correlated with the existing plans for expansion of park facilities. The National Park Service has estimated that initial Unit development would result in 30,000 annual recreational visitations. 3 Because the lake is conveniently accessible to the heavily populated Wasatch Front area, potential for recreational development is substantial. Development of Unit lands acquired for construction and operation purposes should satisfy many recreation needs. Canals and Aqueducts The existing Provo Reservoir Canal would be rehabilitated to assure capacity and reduce leakage. These functional improvements would not lessen the already existing problem of 10 to 15 deer per year becoming entrapped in the canal and dying, especially during the winter. H3 The construction disturbances would not alter the existing appearances in an adverse manner. The Jordan Aqueduct is nearly completed and is discussed earlier in this section. The Alpine Aqueduct would consist of about 6 miles of buried pipeline. Vegetative disturbances would occur during construction. Some bird and animal habitat would be lost and their behavioral patterns temporarily disrupted. Disposal of excess soil and vegetation would not be expected to be a serious esthetic problem. 250 |