OCR Text |
Show was studied. DNR was discouraged from requesting the funding necessary to implement the recommendation. The relatively quick recovery of habitat and renewed successional vegetation after recent high lake levels is a factor. Physical damage to WMA dikes remains a concern. Although some of the public works infrastructure ( e. g., transportation and water treatment facilities) is now better protected from high lake levels through diking that resulted from high lake levels of the 1980s, there is no pumping scenario which would prevent damage to. There is concern that the pumps would be operating relatively frequently if pumping commenced at 4205 feet. This would shift policy from emergency operation to lake level management, resulting in higher pumping cost and increased frequency of adverse impacts. If pumping was started at 4205 feet rather than 4208 feet, the WDPP system would have to be operated 25 percent more often. The planning team has recommended investments be made only to the 4208- foot level. An economic analysis will allow some comparisons between alternatives. Additional expenditures would be necessary under various alternatives. The intent of alternative A is to minimize the salt left in the West Desert if pumping occurs again. Flooding would still occur under alternative A. The meaning of " complete a full return cycleMis addressed in the report. Completing a full return cycle basically means pumping should end in the winter period when the maximum amount of salts in the evaporation pond could be returned. 1.4 Declining flows at Locomotive Springs WMA The preferred alternative was supported by all respondents. However some stakeholders questioned if this issue should be considered in this general planning effort and why other areas were not identified or evaluated around the lake for adequate water supply. Locomotive Springs WMA should document declining flows, their impacts and take action against over- allocation of water that directly feeds this area. Freshwater wetlands are an invaluable resource to this state and the world and we should work hard to preserve these areas. It is now time to devise strategies to protect inflows. This plan should raise the priority of inflows as a beneficial use, pre- empt new diversions and prevent the construction of new dams in the GSL watershed with their increased evaporative loss. The recommended alternative is a start but not sufficient. Water rights and associated habitat issues should not be addressed in an isolated way. This issue should be addressed on a broader scale to include all habitats within state jurisdiction. 279 |