Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System, Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project: documents and correspondence, 1979

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2. Therefore, in accordance wfth recommendations of the Mitigation Field Team and agency representatives at the interagency meeting, we recommend that: (1) The recommended mitigation plan be implemented to the extent possible on a willing seller basis; (2) the Emory Smith property be acquired first and FS inholdings second; (3) all four of the Coal Mine Hollow parcels be acquired as a unit because deletion of one or more parcels would severely impact wildlife habitat on the other parcels, and (4) the involved agencies reconvene to determine if there are viable alternatives where the Bureau is not able to satisfactorily negotiate on a willing seller basis for any of the parcels in the ,; recommended mitigation plan. If a "viable alternative-'" exists, the Fish and Wildlife Service shall recommend to the Bureau that it be substituted for the original proposal. If a viable alternative does not exist, the Service shall recommend that the original recom­mended plan be implemented by whatever means the Bureau has at its disposal. Copies of comments on this planning aid memorandum received from Director Douglas F. Day, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Regional Forester Verne Hamre, U.S. Forest Service are attached. The Division of Wildlife Resources is in general agreement with contents of this memorandum. The Forest. Service recommended deletion of recommendation (3) or modification of this recommendation to read, "all four Coal Mine Hollow parcels be planned for acquisition as a unit because deletion of one or more parcels could severely impact wildlife habitat on the other parcels." We note that the mitigation field team report states, "The four Coal Mine Hollow parcels v/ith a total of 640 acres should be considered as one unit, because any domestic developments such as summer homes on any of the parcels, would destroy the wildlife values and potential of the other parcels." We appreciate the cooperation extended to us by your staff throughout development of the plan and the public involvement proceedings. We urge that negotiations with Mr. Emory Smith be expedited and ask that you continue to keep us advised on progress that is being made. Also, please do not hesitate to call whenever we can be of further assistance in this matter. ^£t*zs&* 1/ A viable alternative could, but not necessarily contain one or ~ more parcels in the Coal Mine Hollow area.