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Show Issue 8: The draft environmental statement did not adequately and objectively discuss the problems associated with restoration • ' " • > » « » i ' i • » » i » ' i in > ii in • • < fr » » r i ji i • • in . i i ii •< i ii ,. .• ii <,.. < < in < ii • ii . i i i • ii o* f construction disturbances arid presented a misleading, over- optimistic review of how these problems have been and l • • I • r . . II In Ill • I « £. . . . d. . . • l., I :, * ,1 „ I | Ii I 1 . . would be handled. Issue raise'd Vtf: Forest Service Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Club Utah Audubon Society and individuals Response: The final environmental statement, specifically Sections C, D, and E, has been revised and expanded to more objectively evaluate the known problems associated with attractive land stabilization of construction disturbances. While the Bureau of Reclamation is optimistic about solving restoration problems, it is recognized that dams, pipelines, siphons, tunnels, and roads cannot be constructed without having some major and permanent effects upon the environment. Past experience, implementation of NEPA, more intensive consultation with other agencies and an increased sensitivity towards environmental problems has given the Bureau an insight into the kinds and magnitude of the restoration problems that can develop. The following; points illustrate the difficulties associated with explicitly coming to grips with the problem of restoration of construction disturbances: ( a) Even with careful pre- construction planning the exact amount and degree of restoration required cannot be determined until construction is nearly complete. Thus, restoration procedures would be flexible as well as comprehensive. ( b) The fact that sound techniques are applied to disturbed areas does not guarantee successful results. In difficult situations experimentation would be warranted, ( c) At the present time all of the design and location planning has not been completed and finalized. Existing plans are subject to environmental improvement through modification, and ( d) Through experience and improvements developed in restoration methodology, existing restoration procedures may require alteration to achieve better results. In order to ensure that restoration of construction disturbances is carried out in an effective manner the Bureau of Reclamation has ' undertaken an interagency re- evaluation of the design and locations 655 |
