ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ON SALMON FALLS DIVISION, UPPER SNAKE RIVER PROJECT, IDAHO, PURSUANT TO SECTION 102 (2) (C) OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OF 1969

SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON QUALITY OF THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT

Construction and operation of the Salmon Falls Division, Upper Snake River Project, in Idaho as planned cooperatively by the Bureau of Reclamation and other Federal agencies, the State of Idaho, and interested organizations and individuals with responsibilities and interests for a broad spectrum of resources, would have a significant beneficial effect on the quality of the human environment. This will be achieved through utilization of presently underemployed natural resources. Upland game and waterfowl populations and resulting hunting opportunities would be increased by the development through recommended plans for improving the wildlife habitat in areas of low game bird population. In addition, compensation of expected upland game losses in another area of the Division would be achieved through recommended mitigation measures.

NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY

Although the field investigation and planning work for the Salmon Falls Division were completed prior to enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190), the policies, goals, and directives of the act have been essentially met through provisions of law and Presidential instructions for coordination of planning studies and reports of Federal water resource projects.

The Salmon Falls Division is proposed for development in the Snake River valley, south of Twin Falls, Idaho. The plan of development for the Division includes construction of a river pumping plant, relift pumping plants, canals, ground-water wells and associated facilities to provide irrigation water for 64,110 acres. Most of the area of the Division is presently in agricultural production, irrigated to the maximum possible extent by the limited ground water and surface water resources. No new water storage facilities are required for this Division.

In years of above-normal runoff sufficient water will be available from surface water sources to meet the entire requirement of the Division. However, in normal years and in dry years there are little or no flows in this reach of the Snake River which are surplus to the needs of existing water right owners. New well fields in the Snake River Plain will be developed to provide up to 131,000acre-feet of the total demand of 265,000 acre-feet.

This method of operation will minimize the effect of the Division upon Snake River streamflows downstream from the point of diversion. Use of surplus Snake River flows when available will utilize waters which would otherwise be unused or destructive. Most years, however, the delivery of ground water to the lands will result in increased return flows to the river at a time when river flows are at a minimum.

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Development of the Salmon Falls Division would create an environmental setting providing for better use of both the natural and human resources of the area. An adequate and dependable water supply will create a more stable economy with more diversified crop production and additional farming opportunities. More goods and services to care for the needs of the farms and to handle the increased volume of production will provide more job and business opportunities. The taxable base of the country and the taxable income will be expanded. Upgrading and stabilization of economic activity will provide an incentive for increasing the cultural and educational base of the area. Thus, the net impact of the Division will be to enhance the human environment.

Two areas of the Division have a relatively low upland game bird population, attributable to intensive farming practices and consequent lack of cover for wildlife. A plan formulated in cooperation with State and Federal wildlife agencies provides for enhancing the wildlife habitat.

Two thousand acres of nonirrigable public lands within or adjacent to the service area will be reserved for wildlife use. Some of these tracts of land will be planted in vegetation to produce both food and cover and be fenced to permit the vegetation to grow undisturbed by livestock. Several sinkholes and draws

will be developed as watering holes for wildlife, and cover vegetation will be planted at these sites. The net effect of the habitat enhancement will be to increase the game bird population and hunting opportunities.

ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Existing conditions of an inadequate water supply and the interspersed farmed and idle land have resulted in a particularly high population of upland game birds in the lower portion of the Salmon Tract Unit. The idle lands have been cleared for farming, but due to shortages in water supply have reverted to a cover of seeds and cheat grass, thus providing both food and cover for the birds. With adequate water available under Division development, a shift to more intensive land use will occur with an attendant reduction in upland game population in that area.

However, tracts of nonirrigable lands totalling 2,000 acres with permanent ponds, where practicable, will be set aside for wildlife use to mitigate the effects of this reduction in existing habitat. The net effect of these measures and the plan for improvement of the wildlife habitat in the other two parts of the Division will be to create benefits to the area through enhancement of its wildlife resources.

The Federal Water Quality Administration has advised that the Division may affect the quality of local streams receiving irrigation return flows and the quality of the Snake River to some extent. The Administration estimates that reductions of streamflow by future projects could make the meeting of water quality standards for the Snake River more difficult and has recommended that the cumulative effects of water resource development in the Snake River be reviewed at an early date to determine the effect upon the maintenance of water quality standards, upon existing water quality, and upon existing and potential downstream uses. Cooperation with the Administration in monitoring the effects of basin development on water quality and in investigating measures for achieving compliance with water quality standards will continue.

ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION

There are no alternative means of utilizing the land and water resources which would provide equivalent economic and social benefits at comparable economic costs. Leaving the area in its present condition is not a viable alternative as it would forgo the extensive enhancement of the human and wildlife environment and constitute an inefficient use of the resources. The practical alternatives are limited to variations in the design and location of the physical works necessary to furnish the water supply. Some indications have been received that the replacement water well field proposed for development in the feasibility report (H. Doc. 359, 91st Congress) may be unacceptable to the water users of that area. There are many potential locations overlying the Snake Plain aquifer where such well fields might be located.

One such alternative plan was investigated in detail to establish the feasibility of developing other well fields if it becomes necessary. The alternative plan would use the Snake River channel as a conveyance facility for delivering the pumped ground water. It would enhance water quality and the environment for the affected reaches of Snake River. This factor will be considered further in the ultimate selection of the replacement well field, based upon more detailed preconstruction investigations.

RELATIONSHIP OF SHORT-TERM USES VERSUS LONG-TERM NEEDS

The objective of the proposed development is to provide a satisfactory shortterm and long-term water supply to the Salmon Falls Division. A common relationship exists between the short-term uses of the environment and the need to maintain and enhance its long-term productivity to satisfy human needs.

IRREVERSIBLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES

Commitment of the water resources for irrigation purposes constitutes its highest use at this time. Should human needs dictate, these resources could be dedicated to other uses in the future. This, however, would involve a deterioration in, or abandonment of, irrigation service.

Mr. JOHNSON. Does the gentleman from Idaho have any comments that he might want to make at this time?

Mr. McClure.

Mr. McCLURE. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I want to welcome not only my colleague before this committee but all the people who have traveled here from Idaho in order to give their testimony before this subcommittee today.

I want to apologize for having been a little late in arriving but I was over at another hearing in the Education and Labor Subcommittee dealing with the mine disaster at Kellogg, Idaho, which has occupied our attention very much in recent weeks.

I think the hearing we did have out in Idaho was a very constructive hearing and it illustrated most of the conflicts which do exist or have existed surrounding this project. I hope that by the time this hearing is completed today, we will have a major record completed concerning the alternatives as well as the problems that are concerned in this project.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. JOHNSON. Our next witness this morning, I want to apologize, too, I just got here myself because I had a thousand things to do this morning and I was a little late at the same time we are very glad to see our colleague, Mr. Orval Hansen, coauthor of this legislation, and one that offered us a lot in the way of hospitality, good friendship amongst the people of Idaho when we were out in Twin Falls.

Orval, I want to thank you for the way they handled us out there and the witnesses that were brought before us and the lovely facilities we had to hold the hearings in.

We are very glad to have you here this morning. You may proceed.

STATEMENT OF HON. ORVAL HANSEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO

Mr. HANSEN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Let me first express my appreciation to you, to the distinguished chairman of the full committee, and members of this subcommittee for scheduling these hearings for further consideration of this legislation.

My statement will be very brief. I would ask that a somewhat less brief statement might be included in the record.

Mr. JOHNSON. Your statement will appear in the record as if read in full and you may summarize it as you see fit.

Mr. HANSEN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

As my colleague, Congressman McClure said, hearings are underway inquiring into the Sunshine Mine disaster at Kellogg, Idaho. I serve on that committee and will depart very shortly to participate in those hearings.

I would only at this time reaffirm my strong support for H.R. 2474 which I am privileged to cosponsor with my colleague, Congressman

McClure.

The hearings I believe, as the chairman noted, in Idaho demonstrated rather strong and broad support for this legislation. I had the opportuninty to present my testimony on that occasion.

We have with us here today representatives of the Salmon River Canal Co. and the Hansen-Murtaugh Cooperative Canal Co. who have detailed knowledge of the area and of the proposed project. There are also witnesses from the State of Idaho and from the Bureau of Reclamation who can furnish a good deal of the engineering and technical data.

I would only join with my colleague in extending to those who come from Idaho a very warm welcome and expression of sincere appreciation for taking the time and undergoing the expense to be here to assist us in the consideration of this legislation.

That concludes my statement, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. JOHNSON. I want to thank you for coming here and giving us the benefit of your written statement for the record and your oral remarks, I, too, want to welcome all of those who are here from your State representing the Bureau of Reclamation and the water people and then the people who are going to use the water and benefit from the water if the project is built. We are glad to have you all here this morning, I had some of them in my office this morning and we do appreciate their interests in coming here.

The gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Aspinall.

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, I am glad to welcome our colleague. I would suggest that if these people want this project it is well that they are here. A field hearing is very important, but the record back here is equally as important as that. So I welcome them here with their membership.

That is all.

Mr. JOHNSON. Any further comments from any members of the subcommittee? Mr. Haley.

Mr. HALEY. Mr. Chairman, I join with the chairman of the full committee and state to my very distinguished colleagues and the peo

ple who are here from that part of the country that introduction of this by two of the very ablest and hard working Members of Congress certainly gives it a good start, I should say, and I shall listen with a great deal of interest to the remarks of the people who are so directly involved.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. JOHNSON. The gentleman from Idaho.

Mr. McCLURE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to publicly commend my colleague for the dedication he has shown in the service of the people he represents from Idaho as well as his sponsorship of this legislation in which I join him.

I have one question for the record and that is with respect to the possibility of pumping in the North Side project for replacement

water.

There is an option granted to the Bureau under the legislation, although the people in the North Side project have requested that the alternative be used rather than pumping within the midst of their canal system, is that not correct?

Mr. HANSEN. This is correct.

Mr. McCLURE. And there is an alternative available in pumping further upstream without having to do that replacement pumping in their project.

Mr. HANSEN. That is correct. And the alternative I think has other features that may tend to overcome some of the questions that have been raised concerning the project and I think the committee would do well to examine carefully that alternative.

Mr. McCLURE. Thank you very much.

Mr. JOHNSON. If there are no further questions, we want to thank you, Mr. Hansen, for coming here. I will ask Mr. Camp if he has any questions.

Mr. CAMP. No questions. I, too, wish to welcome our friend from Idaho. Of course, he came to Congress the same time I did and we had a little experience out in his home State one day that was quite interesting and something we will always remember and I, too, would like to say, Mr. Chairman, and the chairman of the full committee, and Mr. Haley, that the hospitality shown to us in Idaho was just almost as good as you could find in Oklahoma.

[Laughter.]

Mr. JOHNSON. We thank you, and I really have a lot of sympathy for your next meeting on the people lost in the mine disaster. Coming from a gold mining area in California, where we run our deep mining area, we had a few disasters, although there were not as many lives lost in the last one in California, but it was somewhat similar to the thing you face in Idaho. We will let you go now and testify in the next hearing.

Mr. HANSEN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. (Mr. Hansen's full statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF HON. ORVAL HANSEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF IDAHO

Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Subcommittee. Along with others who are so interested in seeing the Salmon Falls Division Project a reality, I am deeply grateful to you, other members of the Subcommittee and staff for the time you have devoted to the bill before you this morning. I am especially grateful to those of you who took the necessary time from your busy schedules to participate in the field hearings which were conducted in Twin