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Show PART VI FRAMEWORK PLAN AND ALTERNATIVES Environmental Considerations of Framework Plan Economic development to meet the projected needs with minimum adverse effects on the natural environment of the region has been the basic goal in formulating the framework plan. Many programs and functions have been outlined that would protect and contribute to the overall quality of liv- ing in the region in addition to providing the basic economic opportuni- ties. These programs have been described in preceding sections. Practically all programs and developments would increase the consump- tive use of water and impact on the land in varying degrees. Development of water resources in many instances requires storage in reservoirs for efficient utilization. Construction of these reservoirs, in turn, causes some disruption on stream regimen and effects fish and wildlife habitat and natural features of the environment. However, with proper planning considerations many values are created that compensate for the changes. Streams are often regulated for flood control, sediment is removed, water quality fluctuations are diminished, and the streams are converted to con- ditions that support a higher type of fish life. Reservoirs themselves provide abundant fishing and other water-based recreation in this area where natural bodies of water are few in number and widely spaced. De- tailed requirements to control pollution at construction sites are in- cluded in most contracts. Based on the experience of the past 50 years, the proposed programs will irreversibly commit important segments of the region's archeological resource to total destruction or to such serious impairment as to destroy its usefulness to scientific investigation. This resource is the only source of information of the history of the American Indian prior to "the accounts of the European Explorers. The loss of this heritage poses a serious dilemma to modern man. A properly planned and adequately funded regionwide program of investigations and salvage of the archeological resource will tend to mitigate this adverse effect. Eliminating the abuse and placing all grazing on a sustained yield basis will alleviate most of the adverse effects connected with grazing and provide for required forage production. Addition to the present irrigated land base of the projected acres would cause loss of big-game habitat and conversion of the wildlife population to a farm game-type. Additional contribution of dissolvecL materials, pesticides, and nutrients in streams will occur unless proper control measures are developed and applied. Watershed management ancL flood control may have effects on fish and wildlife habitat and esthet- ics but will contribute materially to control of sediment, improvement of vegetative cover, reduce flood damage, improve base flows, provide open spaces on flood plains and protect frail lands. 79 |