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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />precipitation processes may be more typical of the majority of high terrain in the Basin <br />than the Wasatch Plateau located on the west edge of the Basin. <br /> <br />The Mesa is believed to have much more conifer forest so that fmding suitable <br />precipitation gauge sites would be easier than on the Plateau. As discussed earlier, well- <br />protected gauge sites are very important for an experimental program. <br /> <br />The Plateau has an excellent all-weather highway system to and around its top while <br />winter operations on the east end of the Mesa would require snowmobile travel from <br />lower elevations. <br /> <br />The Mesa top averages about 1500 ft higher than the Plateau. Since they are at <br />essentially the same latitude, a higher frequency of colder storms, seedable with AgI, can <br />be expected on the Mesa. <br /> <br />The Plateau has an lower altitude barrier upwind of it that may be suitable for operation <br />of ground-based generators. A lower barrier exists upwind of the Mesa as well, but at <br />significantly greater distance which might make it difficult to target from it. <br /> <br />Both areas have been seeded operationally, especially the Plateau, suggesting local <br />interest and support. The State of Utah has partially supported operational seeding on <br />the Plateau and elsewhere in Utah for about 20 years, and has been involved in cloud <br />seeding research for over 10 years. The State of Colorado has not been directly involved <br />in supporting operational or experimental seeding since 1978. <br /> <br />Both areas have been used for cloud seeding research in recent years so a reasonably good <br />understanding of logistics, and of cloud and precipitation processes, exists for both. <br /> <br />The Plateau has considerable private land as well as U.S. Forest Service land so that less <br />restrictions may exist for locating facilities than on the Mesa Y1hich is almost wholly <br />administrated by the U.S. Forest Service. <br /> <br />It is not clear at this time whether the Grand Mesa or Wasatach Plateau should be <br />recommended as the "best" experimental site. More detailed site surveys, discussions <br />with State and local interests and the U.S. Forest Service, and consideration of <br />environmental concerns should all be addressed before making that judgement. <br /> <br />13 <br />