OCR Text |
Show The Bureau of Reclamation is committed to a detailed environmental statement on the Diamond Fork Power System. Impacts of the power system including the safety and erosion problems associated therewith would be fully evaluated. Issue 17: Recommendation that Unit construction be delayed until sufficient studies have been made to enable prediction of environmental impacts with complete accuracy. Issue raised by: Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Wasatch Mountain Club National Wildlife Federation Utah Environmental Center Rocky Mountain Center on Environment and several individuals Response: The final environmental statement was prepared in compliance with NEPA in accord with the most recent Department of Interior Guidelines and Bureau of Reclamation Instructions ( 11/ 6/ 72). The Bureau Reclamation's review concerning actions initiated before January 1, 1970 is presented below: Where it is not practicable to reassess the basic course of action ( as is the case with the Bonneville Unit) continuing major actions must be shaped to minimize adverse environmental consequences. It is also important to account for environmental consequences not yet fully evaluated at the outset of the Unit. The environmental statement process is not intended to stop or delay ongoing actions but instead is intended to evaluate the environmental impacts of the incremental features of the Unit. Nevertheless, delay of more than 12 months has already occurred in the construction schedule for the Bonneville Unit as a result of the time required to prepare and process the environmental statement to this point. Further delay is probable. The current construction schedule for the Bonneville Unit is long- term, extending from 1973 through 1988 ( see Section A, Figure A- l). The Bureau of Reclamation feels that it is not unreasonable to coordinate a program of environmental studies with the construction schedule so that environmental impacts can be predicted with reasonable accuracy in time to aid in any final decision. With this objective in mind, the Bureau is formulating a program of environmental studies designed to obtain and utilize the environmental data necessary to reasonably predict and minimize Unit impacts. At present, most of the program is still in the conceptual stage. However, the commitment has been made and ideas are being formulated into actions. One of the first steps towards implementing the program has been the organization of an interagency ecological studies team to develop cooperatively and quickly what studies are needed and how they should t be accomplished. This environmental statement is intended to clear 670 |