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n:'j?19t) U:J L~_ PURPOSE AND NEED essential. The proposed water development project or alternatives could be important in support of acceler- ated energy development in the oil shale region of eastern Utah. local Socioeconomics It is estimated that approximately 20 to 50 workers would be needed to construct the White River Dam and associated facilities. including the hydroelectric power plant (Bingham Engineering 1982). Preliminary projections indicate that workers would live in existing communities and commute to the job rather than live near the project site. Questions raised include: What changes, if any. are anticipated in terms of local socioeconomic conditions. I.e.. quality of life and eco- nomic conditions? Water The Utah Board of Water Resources has an objec- tive to develop a part of its water right filing on the White River primariiy for energy development. This is an important issue due to growing needs for water, limited availability. problems associated with water quality. potential changes in ground and surface wa- ter. and cumulative impacts of water uses and its relationship to ecosystems. In May 1965, the Utah Board of Water Resources filed to appropriate 250.000 acre-feet from the White River and tributaries for the purpose of mining, drilling.. and retorting oil shaie and other energy-reiated proj- ects (I.e.. hydroelectric power generation). A water need has been identified for the oil shale processing by the White River Oil Shale Project. Magic Circle Energy. Syntana-Utah. Tosco Development, Paraho Development. and Enercor-Mono Power. The Ute In- dian Tribe of Fort Duchesne. Utah. has Winters Doc- trine rights on the White River with a potential to irri- gate several thousand additional acres of unde- veloped land. Concern was expressed that added withdrawal of surface water and return flows from irri- gated lands could increase salinity concentrations in the Green River. Recreation Current recreational uses of the White River in Utah include: limited fishing for catfish; hunting for deer, coyote. waterfowl. and upland game birds; and rec- reational boating including canoeing. particularly dur- ing the high flows of early summer. Scenic and primi- tive values and opportunities for solitude are experi- enced by some. Access roads provide limited opportu- nities for camping near the river. Other Issues The impacts of the White River Reservoir on future oil shale processing near the proposed reservoir con- cerned some people, particularly the potential seep- age of water from the reservoir into oil shale bearing formations. Also of concern were cultural and paleontological values that might be affected by project construction activities and inundation by the reservoir. A historic site, Ignatio Stage Stop, with its remaining rustic build- ings, would be inundated by the reservoir. The White River and adjacent river bottoms supply water. forage. and other needs for wildlife and domes- tic livestock. The riparian vegetation zones are an essential part of these ecosystems. A native desert aquatic ecosystem is considered important by some. likewise the possible creation of a recreational fishery is considered important by others. The Colorado River Basin has been greatly altered in the last 75 years. Most of the major tributaries are altered by dams or diversions. The White River and the Yampa River are the only unregulated tributaries of any size remaining in the Upper Colorado Basin. This would suggest that the White River ecosystem Is significant and has considerable scientific as well as aesthetic value. An exploratory oil drill hole located near the White River currently oozes thick crude oil and could be a pollution problem if not properly capped. Some suggested that the analysis of project needs and alternatives address the issue of water use tech- nology by improved processes that could decrease the amount of water development required in the area, The issue of sedimentation and its effects on the life of the reservoir were also suggested for thorough analy- sis, INTERRELATED PROJECTS Interrelated projects in various stages of planning are important to the assessment of regional and cumulative impacts. They are briefly noted here, The Deseret Generation and Transmission Coop- erative (Deseret) is composed of six rural electric cooperatives serving owner customers in Utah and contiguous areas of Wyoming. Colorado. Arizona. and Nevada. Deseret is constructing the Bonanza (former- ly called Moon Lake) coal-fired steam electric power generating station to begin operation in late 1984. Two sites within the White River drainage in western Colorado are being investigated by Water Users Asso- ciation NO.1 of the Colorado River Water Conserva- tion District for water storage. One site is located on the White River near the mouth of Taylor Draw. while the other is located on the White River near the conflu- ence of Wolf Creek, Other related projects on the Upper Green River and its tributaries include the Juniper-Cross Mountain 11