| OCR Text |
Show Diamond Fork Power System ( Figures A- 16 through A- 19) ( 1) General The necessary preconstruction environmental impact studies of the Diamond Fork area have not been completed. However, the proposed Unit development schedule allows several years of lead time prior to scheduled construction in which to obtain the data required to make meaningful evaluation of environmental costs as well as exploration of design and location alternatives that would lessen adverse impacts. The Bureau of Reclamation recognizes that existing data are incomplete and would complete an environmental statement for this system as part of the decision making process. The primary beneficial impacts of the Diamond Fork Power System, other than its forming a vital link in the water transportation plan, involve the production of hydroelectric power which does not have the direct polluting side effects of the alternative of fossil fuel power plants. Nearly 2,000 feet of head would be utilized which would otherwise be wasted. Revenues from the sale of power would be realized to assist in the repayment of Unit construction costs. There would also be some minor benefits connected with improvements in fishing. The power system would be built in steep mountainous terrain of which some areas are physically unstable and highly erodible. Design and location of the three powerplants with their associated waterways, regulatory reservoirs, switchyards, transmission lines, and access roads would require special consideration. Relatively little is known about the ecology of the specific sites of the power system features. However, it is known that because of the unstable physiography of this area that the ecosystem is quite fragile and sensitive to environmental disturbance. Construction scars would be expected to be severe and conspicuous, particularly in locations along steep canyon walls where restoration treatment would be difficult. The soil mantle in these areas of higher elevation is thin and native vegetation has evolved unique adaptive characteristics. The elevation of the system ranges from 7,500 feet at Syar Powerplant to about 5,000 feet at the lower end of the Wasatch Aqueduct in Spanish Fork Canyon. Most of the lands to be affected are under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service or the Bureau of Reclamation,, Depending upon final routing, some private land could be included. The planning for the Diamond Fork Power System is currently progressing. Field studies for improvements in location are being made with the assistance of the Forest Service. 251 |
