OCR Text |
Show be encountered in application of restoration measures and erosion and undesirable plant species would result. Cuts on steep hillsides could leave . permanent scars. Roadways with excessive cut and fill would also detract from the beauty of the surroundings. These impacts would decrease the quality of the esthetic experience and could result in interference with other uses. Esthetic appeal of streams is reduced when streamflow is excessively reduced or the stream is dry throughout portions of the year. Esthetic degradation of this type would likely occur on approximately 200 miles of stream. Reservoirs, to some observers, are esthetic improvements even though they are foreign to an area. To other viewers, reservoirs are a visual detriment. In either case, approximately 20,000 acres of land, partly high mountain meadow and forest, would be lost through inundation. One aspect of the reservoirs which would definitely be a long- term esthetic detriment would be the exposure of denuded substrate caused by annual drawdown around the reservoirs. With the exception of Currant Creek, Lower Stillwater, and Bottle Hollow Reservoirs, all Unit reservoirs would have the problem of periodic drawdown. Economic and Sociological Environment A short- term use of the environment which would provide significant income for local workers and suppliers would be construction of the features of the Bonneville Unit. A large portion of the total monies spent for construction would remain in the State of Utah. Longer term changes in the economic and sociological environment would occur in conjunction with distribution and use of Bonneville Unit water. In some cases, water is a restrictive resource which limits production. With Unit water the income of residents of the Sevier River area, the lower Duchesne River area, the Ute Indian Reservation, and the Wasatch Front would be increased. Subsequently the standard of living or quality of life would be enhanced, particularly for the Indians benefitting from Lower Stillwater and Bottle Hollow Reservoirs. Rural development in the Sevier Basin would be expanded. A secondary long- term impact would be the increase in air, noise, and water pollution that would probably occur along the Wasatch Front. Although zoning ordinances might help disperse or even limit sources of pollutants, an increase in the pollution problem in that area would be almost certain to occur. Other sociological costs to residents of the Wasatch Front area would be associated with overcrowding and overuse of essential facilities. 480 |