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~J CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION rj~ .Q Although limited by seasonal low flows, the lower Big Sandy River does contain some low quality resident trout habitat. Popula- tions of rainbow and brown trout do exist in the lower Big Sandy when water temperature levels are acceptable, especially in the 8- to 10-mile reach of cold water bank seeps below Farson. The Big Sandy River produces substantial spawning and adult habitat for several nongame species which include flannelmouth, bluehead, and white suckers; Utah chub; redside shiner; longnose and speckled dace; mottled sculpin; and fathead minnow. The last mile of Bone Draw is a permanent, spring-fed tributary to the Big Sandy in the Big Bend area. The fish species inhabiting Bone Draw are the same as those in the Big Sandy, although Bone Draw also supports a good population of small rainbow and brown trout. "j .;'" Known cultural resources identified in the study area reflect aboriginal use of the region for habitation, hunting and processing game, lithic quarrying, tool manufacture, and a number of miscellaneous isolated activities from the paleoindian Period, prior to about 6000 B.C., to the Historic Period, beginning circa A.D. 1824. Historic Euroamerican activities include trail, notably the Oregon Emigrant Trail, and stage route use; railroad construction, operation, and maintenance; homesteading; sheepherder camps; and mineral exploration and extraction. f. r,,1 "'" Approximately 70 percent of Sweetwater County is Federal land primarily administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). About 3'percent is under State ownership and 27 percent is privately owned. Except for the privately owned irrigated lands near Eden and Farson, most of the northwestern quarter of the county is public land administered by the BLM. The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Green River upstream from the confluence of Big Sandy River. The refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contains some public lands withdrawn for irrigation purposes which are under the jurisdiction of Reclamation. State lands tend to be scattered and may be isolated sections within the vast Federal holdings. .:_.. Related Studies and Projects Eden Project The Eden Project located in the unit area includes 17,000 acres of land served by the Big Sandy and Eden Reservoirs. The Eden Reservoir and the first irrigation canals in the Farson-Eden area were completed in 1914 by the Eden Irrigation and Land Company, but insufficient funds for operation and maintenance 4 I" '1 '>,' ";. .' .,' ;:.~. '- ,') ~ ;: