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<br />7 <br /> <br />Flood ~Iain alteration would also be one of the consequences of <br /> <br />phreatophyte removal. Significant obstruction is presented to flood waters <br /> <br />by a thickly-grown area of phreatophytes, causing a slowing of the flood <br /> <br />flow. <br /> <br />There are many legal considerations involved in the various aspects <br /> <br />of phreatophyte control. Certainly the question of how the "additional water" <br /> <br />flowing in the stream is to be administered should receive attention. The <br /> <br />probable short term nature of the water salvaged by phreatophyte control <br /> <br />makes this a particularly important question. The determination of to whom <br /> <br />the benefit of increased stream flow shal I go has great significance in terms <br /> <br />of who should bear the cost of control, <br /> <br />The actions of concerned citizens <br /> <br />are I ikely to playa significant role because of the alterations to the <br /> <br />environment which are 1 ikely to be caused by any program of water salvage <br /> <br />by phreatophyte control. <br /> <br />5 UMMAR Y <br /> <br />I t should be apparent from the above cOlwnents that there are many facets <br /> <br />to the problem of phreatophyte control about which there is insufficient <br /> <br />information and inadequate impact studies. The envi ronmental effects of the <br /> <br />various methods of phreatophyte control merit ~xhaustive study before imple- <br /> <br />mentation of any measures, particularly since the environmental costs could <br /> <br />be qui te substant i a I. <br /> <br />Once this information becomes available, rational decisions can be made <br /> <br />concernin] the nature anJ extent of phreatophyte control. <br /> <br />Because of the reJional nature of the benefits and drawbacks of phreato- <br /> <br />phyte contml, ,t "ould seem that such a study shoulu be conducted on a <br /> <br />~tatewiJe basis. This ~s particularly a~lpropriate since the administration <br /> <br />of our water resources is currently :1undlc..J ~,l the stale level. Decision~ <br /> <br />'- ,-. <br />