OCR Text |
Show The program for proper use and management of forest land will have the effect of reducing the cost of producing forest resources, will result in effective multiple use of forest areas, will correct much of the current damages to the forest resource, and prevent further degrada- tion of -the forest environment. The program for water yield increase involves only forest land and will, if properly carried out, improve the habitat for most wildlife, increase domestic livestock forage, and give added protection to the soil, thereby decreasing sediment production. Total average annual sediment yield for the Region, considering the projected, yield with no program, would be reduced by about 8,500 acre- feet by 2020 with the going program. The recommended program would further reduce the total yield by about 11,000 acre-feet per year. This would significantly decrease downstream sediment damages, including deposition on agricultural lands, in reservoirs, and in urban areas. The program would beneficially affect water quality by reducing sediment content. Since total reduction of erosion damages is neither physically nor economically feasible, erosion control structures were considered for only the most critical areas where either onsite or downstream damages are significant. Erosion damages are projected to increase from $6.7 million in 1965 to $2*+ million in 2020 without additional protection. With the outlined program, it is estimated the 2020 damage would be reduced to about $7 million. The program would be effective in reduc- tion of 3_and loss from gully and streambank erosion; give protection to a major portion of the land presently being damaged through loss in productivity, by sheet, scour, and rilling; and provide protection to improvements, equipment, and public facilities. WildJTire damages are projected to increase from $5.7 million in 1965 to $20.0 million in 2020. The accelerated recommended program would reduce the 2020 damages to about $12.0 million. Provision is made to give protection to the expanding developments scattered through- out the Forest and rangelands of the Region. Flood Con-trol * Flood, damages have increased and will continue to increase due to recent and. projected future population increases and continued economic development in the flood plains. A flood control program of structural and nonstaructural measures is desirable for the protection of every individual! and every parcel of land or property that is potentially endangered, by floods in the Region. In addition to general storms, localized but often high intensity storms cause flash-flood type of run- off unpredictably scattered throughout the Region. 110 |