| OCR Text |
Show 13. the absence of said permits is delay ing the construction of Bonneville Unit facilities. [THIS IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE BLACKMAIL! THIS SUBVERTS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WHEREBY THE PUBLIC HAS OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER INTO DECISION-MAKING ON MANAGEMENT OF ITS PUBLIC LANDS. INTERIOR HAS NO BUSINESS USURPING THE PUBLIC PROCESS AND IT CONTRADICTS RECENTLY RELEASED STATEMENTS BY THE W & PRS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING PROCESSES. FURTHER, BY PARTICIPATING IN SUCH AN AGREEMENT, INTERIOR SANCTIONS THE OVERRIDING OF PUBLIC LEGISLATION DIRECTED AT MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE SUCH LEGISLATION BY THE PUBLIC. attempt at What is at issue here, in this agreement, is^the fulfillment of goals of the Administration's Policies for the nation's waters. A Water Policy has been set. Its implementation opportunities have been worked out - in cooperative planning between the Federal government and the States. This agreement should represent a specific opportunity to bring about a prime objective of the Water Policy - one of protecting instream flows for fish and wildlife purposes, and recreation enjoyment of these resources. In be.in& a signator to this agreement, as stated, Interior is.not giving its support to what is a second issue - that of determining and establishing cheaper and less environmentally damaging non-structural alterantives to this particular federally developed project! Taxpayers - both in Utah and in the nation - are attempting to bring about the use of water conservation measures and technologies which can serve their needs for water and, at the same time, preserve the natural flow and function of river regimes. Such conservation alternatives to the CUP, as planned, exist in Utah, some completely planned. If the publicAinterested in furthering Water Policy and goals are to have effective legal tools to bring about new management of water, the Federal Agency promulgating the implementation of this National Water Policy, cannot withdraw the legal tools by fiat! In addition to undercutting the use of valid Federal environmental legislation, in signing an agreement which in-cludes a policy of no further opposition to CUP development on grounds of 404 Permits, Interior supports Corps of Engineers violation of its mandated obligation under the Clean Water Act. It supports violation of Forest Service mandates to protect fish and wildlife habitat on Forest lands. It weakens U.S.F & W Service |
