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A prominent feature of the east shore of the Great Salt Lake from I-" Promontory Point to the delta of the Jordan River is a vast area of natural (X) and developed marshland. Historically, marshlands developed on the shore ~ of the Great Salt Lake at the point of discharge of the three major river UJ systems and also in areas fed by springs. These marshes provided food and nesting cover for a great variety of ducks, geese, swan and other water birds. Man has actually improved and expanded on the natural marshlands through a program of intensive management. The largest of these managed areas is a federally control1ed marsh located at the mouth of the Bear River. There are, in addition, many state and privately administered areas. The socio-economic values of these marshes are significant. They serve as an important link in the total waterfowl flyway extending from Canada to Mexico by providing a large resting and feeding area for migrating birds. In addition, thousands of birds are produced by local nesting popu- lations. Being located immediately adjacent to the heavily populated Wasatch Front, these lands also provide many recreational opportunities ranging from bird watching to hunting. The desirability of preserving or enhancing these areas must be considered in connection with future plans for further develop- ment and use of the water resourceS of the region. Management consists primarily of controlling by diking and spreading of river waters over larger areas, thereby providing the environment con- ducive to the development of aquatic and marsh-type vegetation. Many acres of previously barren salt flats have been converted to productive marshes by this method. Marshlands require a basic amount of water to satisfy evapotranspiration of the vegetation and an additive amount for flushing the resulting concentrated saline solution. ~ Detailed water use determinations and, projections have been prepared for the Wasatch Front area. Future M&I requirements have been studied by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research of the University of Utah. The Division of Water Resources has estimated changes in irrigation use through land use surveys and urban growth projections. Wildlife requirements were approximated by the Division of Water Resources and will be refined after further discussion with the Division of Sport Fisheries and wildlife, U. S. Department of the Interior, and the Utah Division of Fish and Game. A summary of these projections for the years 1980 and 2000 is shown by Table 7-2. It should be remembered that projections are based on the determination and extension of trends and the identification of probable departures from these trends. To a significant extent, trends can be influenced by public policy. The tabulated projections do not assume major shifts in public opinion concerning the relative importance of industry, agriculture, and recreation. ~23-