Central Utah Project, Bonneville Unit correspondence, 1978

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consult with the State on the basis of economic development of the State. The values of wildlife and recreation resources for the nation are of secondary concern. (The BLM, in some areas in Utah, is trying to carry out its Organic Act mandate. See Statement to BLM, Vernal, Utah, on management issues brought cut at April 13 hearing- Dorothy Harvey.) I would like to suggest that we develop a basis of scientific information - a composite resource data base-related to wildlife resources and water storage projects in the west. The values of riparian ecosystems for bird species is just now being found out. This ecosystem nrovides the widest habitat diversity for birds , alone. Trout streams are still continually sold down the drain - even though they provide a significant economic base to the States? The Ft. Collins based Instream Flow Group, Fish S . Wrildlife Service has developed good tools now for determining stream flows and protection and legal avenues to pursue. U.S.G.S., Water Resources Division, Colorado District, Mail Stop 415, is doing significant hydrological studies on the Yampa River. Can we not pull together required criteria to present to citizen groups and legislators to use for purposes of protecting stream and marsh regimes? If we can combine strengths for the Forest Service-under the Reservation Doctrine (which may be legally established under the MImbres Case before the Supreme • Court) - with broad-based criteria for aquatic and terrestrial habitat protection, we may have a supplementary handle on opposing dam constructions. However, we will need to get Bob Bergland and Rupert Cutler pushing the Forest Service to do its job, here! If we have to, can we bring suit on behalf of the Forest Service - Wasatch and Ashley National Forests - to fully implement water use on federal lands for its obligated manage­ment purposes?