| OCR Text |
Show Provo Bay provides nesting area for Ibis, Cormorants, and innumerable other shorebirds and ducks. Pelican fly down from the Great Salt Lake to feed. While 1 natural fishery, including possibly the R & E June sucker, have been hybridized and altered over the years, fishing is still a valuable recreation opportunity. Wrangling over issues,between the Bureau, the Water Conservancy District and scientists involved, has caused delay in the purchase of scientific equipment needed fo the study. One of the two study years is nearly gone. The Water Conservancy District is impatient with the whole research project, wants to get it done and over with, and scientists are uneasy that they may not be allowed to carry out the quality of research and conclusions needed. One relevant question which may never be addressed. If 105,000 a f of water is to be eliminated from evaporation into the surrounding lands, (from diking Provo and Goshen Bays and deepening the Lake and reducing its size )what effect will this moisture removal have on surrounding lands in Utah Basin? The question is pertimen t from an opposite situation. Slick rock surrounding Lake Powell is turning green. A U. of Wisconsin scientist suggests that this is caused by absorption of water up through the slick rock sandstone allowing plant growth, as well as from atmospheric changes. The tragedy of Utah is that scientific knowledge is not understood nor carries little weight in the political decision making. Worse yet, Utah University and other scientists are required to make statements in their research contracts indicating their "empathy" with Bureau of Reclamation goals. Therefore, the scientific expertise in the ^State is rendered relatively ineffective„ When the time comes to comment on the Utah Lake Irrigation System,4then, what will be the basis for deciding on whether to completely change Utah Lake by diking ? Since the diking is for purposes of irrigation, and since irrigation is considered necessary in Utah and is used as justification by the Bureau, what chance will exist for protecting Utah Lake, as is. For years and years wildlife staffs in the State Fish and Game, in the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service and in the Forest Service have appealed in vain, in protecting wildlife habitat on issues where development is in conflict. In commenting on the Utah Lake Irrigation System, then, separately, will the same stipulation be applied as was stated as criteria for commenting on hearings on the Uintah Unit - that comments would be accepted only on that UNIT. If so, there ^Q^ld be no opportunity to weigh values for different kinds of the public. The method used for public commenting forecloses options. Is this the intent of NEPA? |
