OCR Text |
Show Irrigation and Drainage Systems Provision of an additional sustained water supply for irrigation would create beneficial economic impacts particularly to the farming sector of the economy. It is expected that the improved water supply and subsequent gains in agricultural production would function to retard the trend of outmigration from rural areas that has occurred, in 7 of the 12 counties within the scope of the Bonneville Unit, during the years 1960- 70. Water for irrigation would also create and help establish and preserve farm- field green belt areas. Irrigated lands would also provide some additional habitat for pheasants, waterfowl, muskrats and many other birds and animals. Some additional recreation would result from increased reservoir areas. The achievement of the desired benefits would not come without some environmental cost associated with both the construction and operation of the systems. It is expected that a large portion of the water delivery system would consist of open canals. These canals would impede the seasonal migration of wildlife and cause safety hazards for humans, big game animals, and livestock. There would also be temporary adverse impacts associated with construction and the scarring of the landscape. The facilities proposed for the storage and distribution of Unit irrigation water include Hayes, Mona, Sevier Bridge, and Utah Lake Reservoirs; and aqueduct; and several canals. The amount of additional water reaching Sevier Bridge Reservoir would be relatively small and would not be expected to cause a significant added impact on the environment. Surface and subsurface drains would be provided as required. ( 1) Hayes Reservoir This impoundment would inundate about 685 acres of heavily utilized and disturbed sagebrush- grass, pinion- juniper and streamside forest vegetation communities. ( See Figures A- 21 and A- 22.) The reservoir basin includes about 503 acres of winter range for deer. The loss of this habitat would displace the deer and force them onto adjacent winter range that is already being heavily utilizedJ The habitat of many other animals and some birds would also be destroyed. About 4 miles of Diamond Fork would be lost. This section of stream contains some brown and rainbow trout that have been stocked. Fish production, however, is restricted by the 262 |