| OCR Text |
Show The degradation of the quality of ground and surface waters has adverse environmental and ecological effects. The major water quality- problem in the Region is the ever-increasing salinity of the water caused primarily by the concentration of salts due to intensive use and recycling of available supplies. The framework program includes the treatment of water from some naturally saline sources and other salinity control measures. Land Treatment and Management The protection of the Region's land resources provides primary sup- port for many of the Region's environmental objectives. The program provides for reduction of damage to the land by erosion and sedimentation, the maintenance or enhancement of grazing capacity which, in turn, pro- vides food and cover for wildlife; and wildfire prevention which protects recreation, fish and wildlife, and esthetic values. Implementa- tion of the framework program would minimize irreversible losses of the land and preserve the freedom of choice for the future resource users. Flood Control The protection of the Region's land resources and property from flood damage, as provided by the flood control program, is a primary environmental objective. Flood damage to the land resources is an irreversible loss that is detrimental to fish, wildlife, recreation, and esthetic values, and to the general land resource base of the Region. Flood damage to urban centers is also detrimental to the environment and well-being of the people. The portion of the program requiring flood water detention storage, levees, and channel improvements will need to "be evaluated on a project basis to minimize adverse effects on the natural environment. Measures provided in the flood control program which would, enhance the environment include flood plain building codes, zoning and health regulations, and the purchase of flood plain lands for open space preservation. Though flood detention reservoirs cause flooding of some wildlife habitat, benefits to wildlife occur by reason of the growth of vegeta- tion within the flood pool areas and the usual presence of some water for wildlife use. Inclusion of permanent storage pools could provide enhancement of sport fisheries. Irrigation and Drainage The maintenance of irrigated agriculture in the Region has important environmental implications. New irrigation development proposed in the program would occur mostly on desert lands. Irrigated lands provide food and water for some species of wildlife, and provide a cooler green belt 119 |
