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Show There were only 3 speakers in opposition to the Project or who had serious questions to raise about it, at the hearings. Two Sierra Club people and myself spoke as well as a Utah State University Professor from Che Water Research Laboratory where research has supported the reports prepared by Salt Lake County Attorney Paul Van .am on the availability of water supply in the Salt Lake County region without CUP developed water. The atmosphere at the hearings was quite oppressive; all the power of the State, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Conservancy District was brought to bear on the necessary development of the CUP in general and of this Unit. Is this why no Indians were present? I almost lost my courage to make my statement. Residents of Duchesne County are in the process of developing a suit against the Water Conservancy District on the basis of having to pay some $325,000 - $350,000 annually for water they do not receive. After the hearings half a dozen farmers came up to speak with me about stream flow issues on the Uintah River and I promised I would bring my Citizens for Responsible CUP group out and talk with them. Unfortune-ately, I will be in Wisconsin some time yet, pending my husband's recovery from spinal surgery. I have waited to send this material to you since I had to comment on the Uinta Range South Slopes Land Planning and proposed High Uintas Wilderness and I thought my comments might provide background to you people as to what we are fighting for. The Uinta Range is unique, wild and a beautiful wilderness area - its streams magnificent. Unfortunately it happens to be in Utah where natural resources have consumptive value only. The concept of wilderness can't be understood. Last fall Governor Matheson appointed a Sub-Committee to study and come up with a philosophy and policy of the State for wilderness (RARE II process) and the personnel assigned to the Committee was comprised of State mineral, timber, highway, Parks, and geologists, along with County Commissioners and representatives of mining people! I attended the meetings the group had and it took almost 8 months for us, as the public, to contribute information that there was a Wilderness Act and what its intent was! Re: my comment to the Forest Service, enclosed, dealing with instream flow issues, primarily, and subsequent loss of fisheries and wildlife resources under CUP developments, it occurred to me that if we might strengthen the Forest Service in fulfilling its own obligations to public stream and wildlife resources, and defend these, that the past pattern of Bureau of Reclamation and Water Conservancy intimidation and propoganda might not have such pervasive effects to the detriment of the resources. Thank you for your assistance. Any further material needed or questions answered by us - do request. You can use my Wisconsin address or phone until further notice. I am in touch with my Utah CRCUP group on all matters. Very truly yours, Co- Ch aUrf^ m a^n CiffZ&hs for o^ fteskonsi/j/z C.U.F. ' |
