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Show The case as a whole has been complicated by the past history of similar situations in the country. Experience has shown that in general, where park encroachments are commenced, additional changes may succeed and the character of the park finally be lost. The sensitivity in many quarters to possible park changes therefore has an understandable back- ground. Conclusions The need for preserving outstanding scenic shrines is patent. Their inviolability should be rec- ognized to the limit consistent with the national interest. However, for those recreational areas which are not unique, reexamination and restudy appears desirable. Such study would determine whether the lands which might be involved in a water development, such as Glacier View, might attain a higher national purpose in other uses. A careful and comprehensive study might reveal that recreational values may be obtained in or better served by other lands without damage to the over- all public interest. The study might also reveal opportunities of using part or all of a reservoir area as an adjunct to park functions. Thus Glacier View Reservoir water might be drawn down below a certain elevation only after the close of the recrea- tion season. There also would appear to be some recreational value in a man-made lake adjacent to and perhaps impinging upon the park area. It would provide accessibility by boat to areas now seen or reached by few people. The possibilities in this direction might be explored further. It is suggested therefore, that in any future pro- posal where water developments conflict with these recreational features, some such policy as the fol- lowing be adopted: A resolution of conflict between park areas and proposed water developments is desirable. This calls for careful study of all the factors involved with participation by the affected agencies and the public. Such a study should examine the areas involved, the possibility of providing alternative opportunities for equal attractions and benefits, and the possibility of increased recreational values by reason of other and additional facilities. In gen- eral, where conflict exists between established recre- ational use of an area and water development: (1) where unique scenic or inspirational landscape assets are present, they should not be adversely affected; (2) developments in conflict with scenic areas of a lesser order should be deferred as long as equally feasible alternative projects are at hand for the same use; (3) final determination of ulti- mate use should be on the basis of highest bene- ficial use, all things considered; and (4) examina- tion of alternatives in development should include detailed examination of all of the important con- flicting uses. Except in unusual cases, as in a na- tional emergency, these studies should be reasonably deliberate, and when decision has been reached dissidents should be allowed to file their objections. 3. Weight to be Assigned to Interests of Reserva- tion Indians when in Conflict with Develop- ment Plans in the Area The Problem Should certain water developments of proven national value be postponed indefinitely because they are unacceptable to reservation Indians with whose rights they are in conflict? The Situation Within the Columbia area, there are three types of conflict which affect interests of reservation Indians: (1) time-honored fishing rights, as at Celilo Falls on the Columbia, which would be made valueless by The Dalles Dam and Reservoir; (2) inundation of lands, as by the Paradise Reservoir in Montana; and (3) water rights for irrigation, as on the Duck Valley Reservation, where further irri- gation development conflicts with downstream irrigation on the Owyhee Project. The first two cases-fishing rights and reservoir inundation-are instances of traditional uses in conflict with a major development. Rights in such instances, and where treaties are not involved, should not stand in the way of major developments, but, in full recognition of the rights, means to com- pensate for food supplies and income lost to the Indians must be provided for. Irrigation water rights cases, however, normally present more balanced claims, as in the instances of the Western Shoshone Irrigation Project. This has been developed by the Indian Service to pro- vide an additional agricultural base for reservation Indians. The unit is near the headwaters of the Owyhee River in Nevada and Idaho, about 100 miles from the nearest railroad. Primary produc- tion is hay with winter pasturage being maintained. Originally designed to serve nearly 24,000 acres, water shortages permit irrigating about 18,000 acres 49 |