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Show 16 DIXIE PROJECT, UTAH Continuing careful studies will be made of the water quality under project operations and if any adverse effects become evident, they will be mitigated by appropriate measures. These measures could be the desalination of all or part of the highly saline waters of the mineral springs which issue in the stream bed of the Virgin River near the town of LaVerkin and which contribute a substantial part of the salt to the stream flow, or by other means. In the event that feasible physical methods of handling the problem could not be found, downstream irrigators could be indemnified if damage from project operation occurred. An allowance of $ 2 million has been made in the project cost estimate for this item. Good sport fishing is not found under present conditions in either the Virgin or Santa Clara Rivers within the project area. Development of the Virgin City and lower Gunlock Reservoirs would result in a substantial increase in sport fishing values and, under project conditions, game bird habitat would be expanded through creation of water areas and the increased acreage under irrigation. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife estimates the net annual increase in fish and wildlife benefits incident to development of the Dixie project would be about $ 78,000. rr.! Development of Virgin City Reservoir and lower Gunlock Reservoir would increase the recreational potential of the general area by providing opportunity for boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, and related activities. Recreation potentials of both Virgin City Reservoir and lower Gunlock Reservoir have been studied and evaluated by the National Park Service. The studies indicate that because of its proximity to major highways and Zion National Park, Virgin City Reservoir would become an important regional recreational center. Recommended recreational development at Virgin City Reservoir would include access roads, parking areas, and utilities, in addition to boat launching, camping, picnicking, and swimming facilities. The estimated total Federal costs for these facilities would be $ 455,700. Additional recreational facilities including lodging not appropriate for Federal construction would Cost an estimated $ 370,000. Because of its more isolated location and smaller size the lower Gunlock Reservoir would be largely restricted to local recreational use. The recommended basic recreation development in this area is estimated to cost about $ 243,700. The estimated total annual recreation benefits for the Dixie project would be $ 190,300. The lower Gunlock Reservoir operation would provide an average of $ 7,100 in flood control benefits each year. While the Virgin City Reservoir would also provide incidental flood control benefits, they would be small and have not been evaluated. The annual benefits of providing additional municipal and industrial water supplies have been estimated to total $ 160,700. Taking into consideration the annual power benefits of $ 342,000 and the annual irrigation benefits ($ 3,271,600) the total project benefits would amount to $ 4,049,700 annually. The total estimated cost for development of the Dixie project is $ 44,822,000, based on October 1960 prices. Of this amount $ 44,577,000 is allocated to project purposes and $ 245,000 is nonreimbursable investigation costs contributed by the Colorado River Development Fund and the State of Utah. There would be little change in this |