OCR Text |
Show Table 5. Research needs for oil and gas development. Research Needs Possible Information Source Group A The effects of a chronic oil spill on the lake ecosystem; specifically, on species dominance and food chain links. Identification of methods to control a single spill. Group B Development of the ability to predict the fate of an oil spill through circulation data and computer model development. Group C Identify potential conflicts between oil and gas drilling and boating. Post ( USU) Oil companies UGMS, A. Lin ( U of U), G. Watters ( USU) DPR, Yacht Club sites; and identifying the economic potential of recreational development on the lake. Many of the previous and ongoing studies designed to identify the above items have dealt with the south shore area and Antelope Island since these areas have been obtained for recreational development by the state. McCool and Becker ( 1974) performed a superficial point survey of several of the recreational attractions located within the immediate vicinity of Great Salt Lake. The survey estimated the total use of the major recreational attractions around Great Salt Lake, determined the recreational activity patterns, described the characteristics of recreational visitors, and determined visitor expenditures. The authors' major purpose was descriptive and they recognized the need for more intensive studies on these subjects. The Institute for the Study of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation performed a comprehensive study of the south shore area to determine the recreational use and development desires of users of the area and the WastachFront population. The Institute is currently conducting a repeat of the south shore study and is applying a similar methodology to Antelope Island. The Golden Spike Empire is sponsoring research with the Institute aimed at identifying ways to keep tourists in the area who visit the lake and providing experiences which will make them return for future visits. Their efforts are centered away from the south shore of the lake and focus primarily on the Antelope Island State Park. Still lacking is a thorough study of use and expenditure patterns, an inventory of potential recreational sites, and a projection of future use patterns and demands. Recreational facilities development on the lake must cope with its continuous fluctuation. This aspect of recreational development needs to be investigated so that the development which occurs on the lake will not be adversely influenced by the extreme variation of the location of the shore line between wet and dry years. Wind tides coupled with the present high water conditions caused extensive damage to the marina at Silver Sands Beach in the spring of 1976. This damage and damage to the Antelope Island causeway point to the need to research both short and long- term solutions to the high water flooding problem. This should be coupled with an investigation of establishing a maximum lake elevation where flood control measures would be put into effect. The south shore area, the state park on Antelope Island, and Farmington Bay are presently being considered as sites for expanded recreational development. Many factors other than society's desire for recreation must be considered in developing recreation on the lake. Consideration must be given to factors such as health and safety, access, insect control, impact on other users, and aesthetics. A major water quality concern for recreational use is the control of pathogenic organisms in areas used for water contact sports. Research leading to the elimination of this potential health hazard is needed to better understand the sources of the organisms and their distribution and mortality rate once they enter the lake. Recreation development itself is liable to create water quality problems in the lake unless the disposal of sewage and solid wastes is properly managed. Yet to be defined are the salinity conditions in the lake which are considered desirable for recreation. The main consideration would appear to be maintaining a high enough salinity so that the unique experience of " floating like a cork" would not be lost. - 33 |