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Show problem occurs it would be difficult to trap these fish because the discharge during spawning would be high, approximately 600 second- feet. Special studies would have be carried out to remedy this potential difficulty. The reservoir presently constitutes a Class I trout fishery of Statewide importance, and according to State biologists is free of prolific harmful " trash" fish, particularly the Utah chub. J » Fish from the Uinta Basin streams intersected by the Strawberry Aqueduct could enter the reservoir . through the aqueduct. No adverse impacts to the trout fishery are anticipated since State investigations have indicated that the streams 1 90 are free of the Utah chub. ^ u Because the streams, springs and marshes of the enlarged area below the existing dam would be extensively treated with fish toxicants it is anticipated that the enlargement process will not reduce the present quality of this fishery. Lands to be inundated by the enlarged reservoir include several thousand acres presently used by sheep and cattle for grazing. With inundation this use would be lost. Coal and oil shale are the only known valuable mineral occurrences within the reservoir area. Coal deposits in this area are considered to be too deep to mine and therefore of questionable economic importance. Oil shale underlying the reservoir basin may become economically significant in the future. Interest in oil exploration and development has increased in recent months in the Uinta Basin. This interest has included Strawberry Valley around Strawberry Reservoir Enlargement, and oil might be found if exploration is permitted. An oil lease is presently being considered to allow exploration within the Strawberry Valley. Before any leases are approved, an environmental assessment would be prepared and processed. According to the Bureau of Mines, ° however, if oil shale were inundated the mineral resource commitment would be insignificant compared to the total resource available elsewhere in the area. Chances of discovering metallic minerals in the area are remote. Expansion of the existing reservoir shoreline would generate considerable ecological, esthetic and recreational improvements of the area. A " take line-' sufficient to allow for required access and recreational 1/ A " take line" encloses all the land set aside for all Unit purposes. 228 |
