OCR Text |
Show Currently the use of the reservoir even with the existing inadequate facilities is about 58,000 visitations per year. The originally planned recreational development has not been constructed. To remedy this situation the National Park Service has recently completed a draft of a reanalysis of the recreation potential and utilization demand for the reservoir. From the reanalysis a recreational development plan will be cooperatively formulated and appropriate funds are being programmed. The target date for obtaining funding is fiscal year 1975 which is the earliest that money can be programmed. The recreation ' development plan would be developed with the Utah State Divison of Park and Recreation which is currently administering existing facilities. ( 2) In past years existing Section 8 programs, particularly fish ... . .- and wildlife projects, have been programmed but because of ._ circumstances beyond the control of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife the funds were, not appropriated. Under the revised Section 8 program it is intended that full input and concerted cooperation from all the concerned agencies will help to improve the appropriation record for the program. ( 3) Changes in the construction schedule have also interfered with the coordination of the Section 8 program. The construction of the recreation development on Strawberry- Re servoir has been complicated by the fact that Soldier Creek Dam was completed one year earlier than planned. Inadequate appropriation of programmed Section 8 funds has also delayed progress. Paragraph D2d of the final environmental statement describes the current situation at Strawberry Reservoir. ( k) Construction of roads to standards above those currently needed directly for the water development feature has been a problem because before funds from Section 8 can be1 used, it must be demonstrated that the benefits occurring will exceed the cost of construction. As indicated above, there has been a tendency in the past to underestimate potential recreation demand. However, it is intended that the Section 8 program be modified to allow the construction of roads geared to recreational use while at the same time allowing assignment of appropriate higher project benefits to justify the added costs. In summary, the" Bureau of Reclamation acknowledges that the past performance of Section 8 has not been as effective as it should have been. The existing problems have developed despite the efforts of all the participating agencies to make |