OCR Text |
Show connected with the clearing procedures. These include undesirable visual impacts, and noise, dust, and smoke levels that would temporarily bother wildlife. There would also be some disturbance of stream banks leading to temporary erosion and siltation problems in Rock Creek. Construction of the Upper Stillwater complex would alter the existing landscape, thus modifying the esthetic composition of the area. A beautiful mountain valley would be partially inundated. Some permanent construction scars would be visible from public roads. During the fall, a small percentage of recreationists- particularly those traveling the Primitive Area Trail-- would view the exposed dewatered areas of the reservoir. Forest Service personnel responsible for management of Ashley National Forest formed an inter- disciplinary study team in July 1972. The team was made up of a Forester, Soil Scientist, Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist, Geomorphologist, Foresthydrologist, Range Conservationist, Ecologist, Engineer, and Landscape Architect. Their assignment, among other things, was to evaluate the impacts of Unit features, to be located on Ashley National Forest. The impacts they reportedl02 are summarized below: _ 1. The present near- natural conditions, as related to access to the High Uintas Primitive Area, fisheries and dispersed recreation use, would be interrupted and the wilderness atmosphere reduced. £. Some irreparable damage to the stream fishery and aquatic wildlife. 3p, Removal of two primitive campgrounds. _ 4. Irretrievable loss of wildlife habitat would result from inundation by the reservoir. The most critical loss would be bottom lands important to beaver and moose. j5. Construction activities would require the use of noisy equipment and machinery which would create temporary intolerable conditions for some small mammals, many birds, and big game. 16. There are about 2,000 acres of bottom land in the Rock Creek drainage that are utilized by moose habitat. Construction of Upper and Lower Stillwater Reservoirs and associated features would eliminate much of the key stream side habitat ( 430 acres) for moose. 222 |