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Show PART III CURRENT WATERSHED CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS, AND EFFECTS OF PROBLEMS A detailed discussion of salinity and related water quality problems are contained in Appendix XV, Water Quality, Pollution Control and Health Factors. Economic Effects The tables 4 through 7 titled "Average Annual Damages Resulting from Upstream Watershed Problems, 1965 Prices and Conditions," includes estimates of losses on the land administered by BLM, BIA, and FS; and estimates for private land supplied by SCS. Damages classed as upstream are those that occur in tributary areas of 250,000 acres (400 square miles) or less, or occur on downstream of these tributaries as a result of outflow from them. Erosion, the major economic damage problem in the region, is esti- mated to cost $6.7 million annually and the upstream flood and sediment damage $1.4 million (included in $2.8 million damages in Flood Control Appendix IX) annually. Fire causes an estimated damage of $587,000. The total estimated average annual damage from upstream problems as evaluated by this study is $8.7 million. Erosion damage on forest and rangeland The average annual erosion damage on forest and range is estimated to be nearly 5.7 million dollars. The loss of productivity is estimated to be 4.4 million while the loss of land and damage to public facilities constitute the remainder. A large percentage of land productivity damage occurs on rangeland as a result of sheet erosion. Damage to public facilities are mainly on forest lands. Erosion damage on cultivated cropland and pasture Average annual erosion damage is estimated to be $522,000 on cultivated cropland and pasture. The majority or $330,000 is estimated to result from loss of soil usually from land left without a protective cover. The average annual loss of productivity is $154,000 and the damage to public facilities is $41,000. Erosion damage to urban and other land Accelerated erosion to 286,000 acres of urban, buildup, rights-of- way, and transportation land causes $480,000 annual damages. Erosion damage to the other land category is $22,000 annually. |
