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<br />thll13 j2 <br /> <br />of the proper habitat is the most critical need to increase the popula- <br />tions. Whi Ie the reduction of pollution and proper regulation of <br />streamflow would improve the fishery resources, the primary potential <br />for increasin~ fish production rests in the construction of multipurpose <br />reservoirs. If wi Idlife populations are to be increased, future des- <br />truction of habitat must be prevented and more habitat provided through <br />the appl ication of good land conservation measures. <br /> <br />Some of the state's streams can be protected from further habitat <br />destruction through designation as wi Id or scenic rivers. Protection of <br />these streams would also preserve many of their values for other functions. <br />Nine particularly valuable streams or reaches of streams in the State <br />should be investigated for possible protection. <br /> <br />Outdoor Recreation <br /> <br />The demand for water-based recreation has increased rapidly during <br />the last few years. About 35 percent of the male population over age 16 <br />presently purchases hunting and/or fishing licenses. boat registrations <br />increased over 50 percent between 1960 and 1966. <br /> <br />Nebraska has about 136,800 acres of standing water and 8,800 mi les <br />of streams suitable for fishery purposes which would be sufficient to <br />meet the present fishin~ demand if located where the demand occurs. <br />This, however, is not the case. ~1ost of the surface water area is in <br />the Sandhi I Is lakes and large water supply reservoirs located in the <br />central and western part of the State whi Ie the big demand for water- <br />based recreation is in the eastern part of the State. It is estimated <br />that by 1972 as much as 133,700, 48,100, and 27,400 additional acres of <br />water surface area wi II be needed for fishing, boating anrt water ski ing, <br />respectively. 8y 2000, these same uses wi I I require as much as 264,500, <br />150,000, and 119,600 more acres, respectively, of surface water area <br />than now exist. These amounts are not necessari Iy cumulative since <br />the same waters can provide opportunities for several recrentional <br />funct ions. Tllese waters are needed near the high popu i at i on centers in <br />eastern IJebraska for ready iJCC8SS hy the day user. <br /> <br />\'Iate rshe d Protect i on <br /> <br />About 16,192,000 acres of agricultural lands are now adequately <br />treated to provide good watershed protection. Conservation treatment <br />is needed on 13,705,000 acres of cropland, 15,854,000 acres of pasture <br />and range, 767,000 acres of forests and woodlands, and 389,000 acres <br />of land in other agricuitural uses. About 11,022,000 acres require <br />the application of simple-type conservation measures, 16,26i,000 acres <br />require the application of moderate-type conservation measures, and <br />3,694,000 acres require the application of intensive-type conservation <br />measures. <br /> <br />6 <br />