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<br />, :\.i I') 'J <br />\) J". "dO <br /> <br />-261- <br /> <br /> <br />of these recommendations will improve management of fish and <br />wildlife, stream corridors, soils, and surface and ground water <br />supplies. Over the long term, this wi~ help develop and <br />maintain a stable and diversified economy, while accommodating <br />the demands placed on these resources by agricultural, <br />industrial, energy, and recreational sectors. <br /> <br />Instream Flows <br /> <br />Implementation of instream flow study recommendations and <br />programs will have beneficial environmental effects on the rivers <br />and streams of the Basin. Studies will quantify flow levels <br />needed to preserve fish and wildlife habitat, maintain channel <br />capacity, improve water quali ty and river recreation, and <br />identify ways to meet downstream consumptive uses. In some <br />portions of the Basin, through appropriation or regulation, steps <br />will be taken to reserve streamflows for fish and wildlife and <br />other purposes. Efforts to meet all these needs will have to <br />recognize the conflicts between the various water users. <br /> <br />Weather Modification <br /> <br />Weather modification programs, designed to augment <br />precipitation in the arid to semi-arid portions of the Basin, are <br />subject to a number of uncertainties about the nature and extent <br />of their benefits and impacts. Essentially, they are still being <br />evaluated experimentally, and as such a reliable description of <br />their impacts is not possible. <br /> <br />Adverse Environmental Effects <br />Which Cannot Be Avoided <br /> <br />Consideration ,of environmental impacts in the planning <br />process conducted at the river basin and project levels has in <br />many instances, eliminated or mitigated many adverse effects. <br />However, several adverse environmental effects, particularly at <br />the local level, cannot be avoided if program purposes are to be <br />accomplished, e.g., supply water to additional lands, develop new <br />sources of energy, control rural and urban flood damages, provide <br />new recreational opportunities, provide new water supplies to <br />municipalities, improve water quality, or control erosion of <br />agricultural lands. These impacts have been broadly discussed in <br />previous sections and more detailed impacts are analyzed in <br />individual project environmental impact statements. <br />