OCR Text |
Show productivity, several hundred acres of utilized moose habitat, some summer and fawning range for deer, beaver habitat, displacement of 10- 20 beaver colonies, and loss of habitat and displacement of a variety of non- game animals and birds. The elimination of most of the quality moose habitat of this area ( estimated at 430 acres by the Forest Service'^) would inhibit the permanent establishment of a herd and restrict the attempt this species is making to extend the boundaries of its natural distribution. The reservoir would not form a significant barrier to animal migration routes. Amphibians and reptiles would not be expected to benefit from the impoundment of Rock Creek. These organisms do not inhabit open water areas and usually prefer moist and marshy areas around the perimeter of a reservoir. Besides adverse impacts on wildlife, the reservoir would result in the " I OO loss of approximately 50 cow- months of livestock grazing. x^° Upper Stillwater Reservoir would extend up to the boundary of the High Uintas Primitive area, z! inundate part of a cattle grazing allotment, and require relocation of an 8- family primitive camping unit, and about 2.5 miles of the Rock Creek Trail. The trail currently provides access to the High Uintas Primitive Area for people as well as eight bands of sheep. These impacts would cause management problems for the Forest Service. The Definite Plan Report design for Upper Stillwater Dam was for an earthfill structure which would have required development of about 250 acres of borrow area below the dam." 3 Utilization of this borrow area would have precluded the development of a prime recreational area by the Forest Service. The borrow areas 1/ The High Uintas Primitive Area was established by Forest Service Regulation No. L- 20, dated April 27, 1931. The description of the primitive area contained therein is vague and subject to varying interpretations as to the boundary. Forest Service interpretation of the boundary places a small portion of the Upper Stillwater Reservoir within the primitive area. A bill designed to change the status of the primitive area to a wilderness area and exclude the Upper Stillwater site has been introduced in Congress. 219 |