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SUMMARY o ,.-) ..- ) to 0") t..:l r.i:'he Great Basin Region, a closed basin with nc outlet to any ocean, is characteristically arid except in the higher mountains. Ma.jor streams usually end in desert lakes or sinks near the mountains where they originate. Soils are predominantly alkaline, expecially in the flat valley floors whe1'e salts accumulate and are further concentrated by evaporation. Varied forms of wildlife occur in esthetically appealing forest, range, and marsh habitat, and many of the waters support trout and other' prized game fish. Extensive areas of national forest and public domain help make much of the fish and wildlife resource available to the general public for recreational use. '.):'he Region, like the rest of our country, is faced with en- larging demands on the environment for an increasing population, with resultant na=owing of opport\Ulities to enhance or preserve fish and wildlife productivity. At best, in some places, the loss of habitat capacity can only be del~ed. In 1965, fish and wildlife resources provided hunting and fishing opport\Ulities generally in excess of the demand. In keeping with the criteria used in the study, these opportunities are expected to remain adequate until about the year 2000. In the 2000 to 2020 time period a shortage of fishing opportunity will develop in the Central Lahontan Subregion if major terminal lakes continue to deteriorate. Shortages will develop in the Utah portion of the Great Salt Lake Subregion for waterfowl hunting, and in the "lyoming portion of the Bear River Subregion for big-game hunting. Guidelines for conservation of fish and wildlife in the future are p;t'esented in this study. Many going programs specifically for fish and wildlife will continue, but these resources depend mostly on muJ.tiple-purpose lands and waters. In water development and use, the preservation or enhancement of quality fishing streams and lakes as well as the development of reservoir fisheries should be important objectives. Adequate water supplies to the extensive and valuable waterfowl marshes near the te:rminal lakes and sinks will also be needed. In land use and development, habitat requirements for wildlife should alw~s be considered. Range management programs especially need to include the protection and development of vegetation for wildlife food and cover, particularly in critical areas such as deer winter ranges. In all of Man's activities the growing awareness of environmental limits must be reflected in effective action. A sig:- nific.ant example is the need to control the release of chemicals that \<1eaken or destroy fish and \<1ildlife and sometimes make them unfit for human consumption. With proper care the Great Basin m~ continue to be a good place in which to 11 ve. Adequate consideration of habitat needs are essen- tial if fish and \<1ildlife are to be a part of the good life of future generations.