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0" .' -~.., \)_1..0 . The short-term impact on the environment resulting from con- struction activities will be controlled insofar as practicable as outlined in this statement. The esthetics of the natural scenery will be changed from uncontrolled river to a fluctu- ating reservoir. Altering the river below the dam will have an immediate degrading effect on its value as a fishery habitat, which may be partially restored with time. Visitor use and the attendant pressure for visitor facilities will increase at a greater rate with the project than under an undeveloped natural state. This invasion by man will undoubtedly have long-term effects on the various ecological systems in the area which must be anticipated. E. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources The access road, dam, reservoir, and powerplant have or will alter the esthetic resources of the canyon so they cannot be restored to their original status or be subsequently utilized for other purposes. Altering the river channel downstream from the dam by channelization could result in a loss of this stretch as a stream fishery coupled with the release of too- cold waters from the reservoir. Partial mitigation of this loss is being studied. River gravels used for concrete aggregate will be a natural resource irreversably committed in the construction. All other resources in the canyon will either be unaffected, con- verted to equivalent replacements, or partially mitigated in- sofar as practicable. F. Consultation and Coordination with Others As part of the planning process for the Curecanti Unit, an Economic Justification Report was prepared in February 1959, a cooperative effort to which contributions were made by various Federal agencies with help from their State counter- parts where applicable. A Supplement to this report was sub- sequently prepared in April 1962 which further explored and was the basis for justifying construction of the Crystal features. Agencies that assisted include the National Park Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Geological Survey, Bureau of Mines, Public Health Service, Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, Bureau of Public Roads, and the Federal Power Commission. These earlier reports from the above agencies did not address themselves specifically to environmental review or recommenda- tions. However, some of their recommendations were concerned with the protection and improvement of the natural resources. 18