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Show davelopments. The Jordanelle project being somewhat larger would inuidate more of the present land habitat particularly the stream- side woodlands and thickets. Being at a somewhat lower elevation and of large size it might provide a more favorable situation for waterfowl and shore birds, although this again would depend on the amount of annual drawoff of water and the degree to which the aquatic vegetation and animal life could become stabilized. " 3. The proposed enlargement of Strawberry Reservoir would appear to result in rather little change in the general condition which now prevails in this area. Expansion of the reservoir, particularly in Soldier Creek area, would reduce some of the habitat now used by the Sage Grouse, but there would still be plenty of suitable habitat left for this species in the Strawberry Valley. Over the years since Strawberry was first established it has become an increasingly important habitat for waterfowl and shore birds. It has had and will continue to have certain drawbacks in this respect. Relatively high altitude and consequent early freeze- over and late spring thaw limit its usefulness for waterfowl and the annual fluctuations in water level limit the development of stable aquatic plant comminitLes favorable to aquatic animal life. Nevertheless, studies at Strawberry indicate that most of the species of waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds common to the intermountain area occur there at one time or another, and there is no reason to believe that an enlargement of the reservoir would have any detrimental effect as far as these groups of birds are concerned, provided the resource is managed as it has been in the past. " 4. The proposed projects in Utah Valley preseat some problems of much greater importance as far as the birdlife of the area is concerned. Relative values connected with the diking and drainage of Provo Bay need to be carefully considered. This area is the only major natural breeding ground for waterfowl and other aquatic birds in the entire valley. 357 |