| OCR Text |
Show The study is discussed in paragraph D2a of the final environmental statement. This program was conceived by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife under the authority and in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and was coordinated with the Ute Indian Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Concurrence was given by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The implementation of the program has been the responsibility of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. After July 1, 1973> this responsibility will be transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation. Studies for the above objectives were to be conducted by the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife with the Forest Service cooperating. To date, the only portion of the program to be completed was a study of Rock Creek to determine the means for replacement of fishery resources that would be lost under Unit conditions. This study was carried out by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife in cooperation with the Ute Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Results of the study were used in determining that Bottle Hollow and Lower Stillwater Reservoirs would constitute mitigation for the fishery resource to be lost. No other plans have been made available to the Bureau of Reclamation. It is intended that this program would be re- evaluated and if necessary modified after July 1, 1973? when the Section 8 program is revised. Later an interagency group would examine the potential value and effectiveness of such a study. It is apparent that, taken by itself, this study is inconsistent with the proposed Unit plan in that the plan does not provide the minimum bypass recommended by Federal and State biologists. ' " However, it must be remembered that the Bureau of Reclamation is committed to study the operation of each dam and diversion, prior to initiating the proposed operating schedule, and where possible reduce- the adverse effects of reduced flows upon fisheries through reasonable and controlled regulation of flow. This means that sufficient water to apply the study to Rock Creek and Strawberry River would be made available. Under the terms of the existing 10- year study, funds would not be available for streams other than Rock Creek and the Strawberry River, although the Bureau of Reclamation is committed to study post- Unit flows. It is intended to consider expansion of the 10- year study program to cover all of the affected streams in the Uinta Basin when the Section 8 program is reviewed and revised. Consideration would also be given to expanding the program to include the habitat changes proposed for Bonneville Basin streams. The revised program would include evaluation of proposed stream flow regimes in relation to maximizing fish production under Unit conditions. Issue 7* The transbasin diversion of water by the Unit would allow the ecologically undesirable intermixing of previously distinct gene pools of fish and other aquatic organisms. f 651 |
