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Show Great Salt Lake Minerals and Chemicals Corporation evaporation ponds cover about 11,000 acres in Bear River Bay near Little Mountain. The level of Great Salt Lake has varied widely in the past. The average elevation during the past 15 years was ^ 19^. 6 feet above sea level. As increased consumptive use continues to reduce inflows, the lake level is expected to further decline, and fluctuations are expected to diminish. ( c) Environmental Impacts of the Alternative The loss of inflow to the lake by diverting water to the desalting plants under this alternative would accelerate the reduction in size of the Great Salt Lake. This would result in esthetic damage to a unique attraction as well as a reduction in waterfowl nesting areas around the lake. Table H- 6 gives data regarding present and future stages of the Great Salt Lake, taken from the Great Basin Study136 ( App. XVIII, p. 95). Table H- 6 Great Salt Lake Stages ( 1965 and 2020) Inflow Area Volume Elevation Condition ( ac- ft) ( acres) ( ac- ft) ( feet) 1965 1,500,000 569,900 7,500,000 U189.3 2020 ( without 50*+, 000 188,000 5^ 0,000 U172.2 dikes and with a desalting plant) The elevation for the desalting alternative ( k^ LJ2.2 feet) is given on the map showing the Great Salt Lake water levels ( Fig. H- 3). The desalting plant would require about 30 acres for a site near Little Mountain ( Fig. H- U). A U7.3- mile- long pipeline would require about 700 acres for right- of- way. Construction activities would have short- term impacts on the environment. The brine from the desalting plant would flow into the Great Salt Lake with no detrimental effect to the lake. The concentration of the brine would be about 10,000 mg/ l, whereas the concentration of the Great Salt Lake is about 270,000 mg/ l. 518 |
