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Show Table C- 25. The amount of stream fishing would be significantly reduced while the amount of reservoir fishing would be significantly increased. The Bureau of Reclamation views the increase in reservoir fishing as beneficial and of importance in satisfying the expected future increase in demand for water oriented outdoor recreation. The losses of stream fisheries, under the proposed plan, are viewed as unavoidable adverse impacts that would be necessary trade- offs to achieve present Unit objectives. •; Issue 20: The Draft, Environmental Statement did not present an objective analysis of the1 relationship of costs and benefits which demonstrate that the Unit would be economically justified. Issue raised by: Sierra Club Utah Audubon Society Trout Unlimited and several individuals Response: Both the draft and the final environmental statements were written in an attempt to comply with the requirements of NEPA. Section 102 of the Act requires that the environmental statement include: ( l) the environmental impact of the proposed action, ( 2) any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented, ( 3) alternatives to the proposed action, ( k) the relationship between local short- term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long- term productivity, and ( 5) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented. Neither the draft nor the final environmental statement contains an economic analysis or benefit cost ratio for the Bonneville Unit, The final environmental statement does include economic discussion where necessary to quantify impacts and to compare alternatives, thus providing decision makers with additional material upon which to exercise informed judgment. Other studies of the Unit, including design and cost estimates, Unit justification, repayment consideration, and repayment contracts have been thoroughly analyzed and are appropriately presented in other reports. 92> 93? 150 r^ e Bonneville Unit has successfully met all tests of economic justification and feasibility as established by the Congress of the United States. 92? 93 Issue 21: Construction of the Bonneville Unit to develop part of Utah's legal entitlement to Colorado River water is not a legitimate goal. The estimated magnitude of the entitlement and the portions already used, committed, and uncommitted were not substantiated in the draft environmental statement. 673 |