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Show At the time this report was prepared, data were not available to the National Park Service from which to determine whether construction of a pressure tunnel from the Split Mountain Dam to a power plant 5 miles upstream from Jensen would affect the Quarry Unit. Concerning transmission lines, comments relating to the Echo Park project apply generally to the Split Mountain proposal. Other effects.- Submersion of parks and the bottoms and slopes of canyons and entering draws undoubtedly would affect adversely the existing biota of the area. A number of interesting archeo- logical sites would be submerged, particularly in the vicinity of Echo Park, Castle Rock, and Hard- ings Hole along the Yampa River. Summary.- Construction of the Echo Park and Split Mountain Dams, reservoirs, and related temporary and permanent facilities would materially and deplorably alter the dominant geological and wilderness qualities and the relatively minor arche- ological and wildlife values of the Canyon Unit of Dinosaur National Monument. Its present scenic and scientific values and its wilderness character would be seriously altered. On the other hand, creation of the proposed Echo Park and Split Mountain Reservoirs would undoubtedly produce other recreational opportunities. POLICY AND PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL MONUMENT In accordance with the Congressional Act of 1916 creating the National Park Service, it has been and is the responsibility of the Service to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife within the areas in the National Park System, and to provide for the enjoyment of them in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations. Accordingly, the major aims of the National Park Service in its administration of the Dinosaur National Monument are: 1. Protection of unimpaired resources and, through elimination of factors that have modified other natural conditions, the restoration of those other conditions to their original state. The modifying factors principally involved are agricultural pursuits which consist largely of grazing, and the presence of non- Federal lands within the exterior boundaries of the area. 2. Protection and preservation of archeological features. 3. Provision of such facilities as are necessary to enable visitors to study and enjoy the features of paleontological, geological, wilderness, and related interests, and as are required for proper recreational use and administration of the area. CONCLUSIONS The policy of the National Park Service, as the administrative agency now primarily responsible for the national monument, has been, and is, to make the protection of the natural and archec logocal values of the area the controlling factors in administering it. The question of whether this policy is to be changed to permit water uses will require for its solution a review of all probable advantages and disadvantages arising from such use. Dinosaur National Monument is eminently qualified, in the absence of very strong special reasons to the contrary, to justify its retention as a unit of the National Park System. Certain parts of it should be made reasonably accessible by road and accommodations provided for visitors just as soon as funds become available. Before authorization is given to develop its water resources and to recognize water use as the principal consideration in the administration of the Canyon Unit, it should be clearly shown ( 1) that economic and social values deriving from such development and use would largely and certainly exceed the economic costs of producing them; ( 2) that it would be more economical to develop the water resources of the monument rather than other resources available for the same purpose within practicable reach; and ( 3) that it would be of greater benefit to the whole Nation to develop the area for water storage and power than to retain it in a natural state for its geological, wilderness, and associated values for public enjoyment. 199 |