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Show 117 p. 75), it has directly effected the industries utilizing the Lake brines. The conflicting interests of the extractive industries on the Lake also create disagreement concerning any measures to change the causeway. At the Lake's peak stage of June, 1974, with an elevation of 4199 feet, the concentration of the North Arm was approximately 330 grams per liter, while that of the South Arm was 120 grams per liter-- two and one- half times more dilute than the North Arm. Therefore, to produce the same amount of salt, a South Arm company must evaporate two and a half times as much Lake water as a company using North Arm brines either by increasing acreage of pre- concentration ponds or by increasing evaporation time. Either way, the economic efficiency of the South Arm companies is greatly reduced by the effects of the causeway. As the elevation of the South Arm increases, in part due to the causeway, the danger of flood damage is imminent. The potential for future damage ranges up to $ 250 million if the elevation of the Lake exceeds the June, 1974, peak by only 3.5 feet. At that Lake elevation it is expected that the majority of the Lake industries would be forced to suspend operations and that managed wildlife refuges on the Lake shores would be virtually destroyed. Legal Actions and State Involvement During 1971 and 1972, South Arm industries filed suit against Southern Pacific Transportation Company in both State and Federal Courts but received no legal relief for their grievances. Therefore, they sought help from the political forces in the State. In response to a request from the Governor, the Attorney General |
