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Show jl ,1 m monday, H October 31, 1977 North-Sout- h Continued from page I Southern Pacific officials reliance of that situation. With the exception of Morton Salt Co., Behrens asserted, all those who own companies in the south made their investments after the causeway was built and knew what its impact would be Behrens also pointed out that several studies support his position that there would be no economic benefit to the state in breaching the causeway. Efforts to force a breach through the courts have also failed, he said. didnt want to touch the causeway because of wories over its stability. Stability is a concern A Southern Pacific offic-a- l confirmed that stability was indeed one of its concerns, since the salty water could eat The away its support. spokesman said the railroad company wouldn't oppose the breach if it would not hinder operations and if the state would make the company whole should the causeway break as a result. 8 million He said would be a minimum figure to foot cover making a 300-40- 0 breach as suggested (there are already two small, roughly 20 foot wide culverts in it) and the cost could be twice as much. The expense would include the building of a temporary track around the area. The railroad spokesman also maintained that the salt in the lake migrates naturally and might someday return to the south with or without the causeway. Southern Pacific's studies showed there may be little or no difference in lake level or salinity if the breaching is accomplished, he said. He also maintained that investors knew of the causeway and its impact before buying in, and, in fact, Southern Pacific had tried to induce NL Industries to locate on the north side. "I personally feel it's a benefit to the state," he claimed, because it dams the minerals for extraction on the north side. But Palmer complains "You no longer have the Great Salt Lake on the south arm." Tourists visit the south shore because of the lakes saltiness and they won't continue to come if the salt level continues to drop. That would Morton has benefitted $7-$- But Morton Salt would certainly be helped by as much as a doubling of its salt production, Norman Helgren, Morton facilities manager, told the Enterprise. Helgren, who confessed the situation a sort of emotional was thing," said building the causeway in the first place was a mistake. Breaching would equalize the concentration of brine, thus remedying the natural conditions destroyed by the causeway, he said. Although he said hed like to see the cause breached, Hilgren said it was difficult to argue with the study team's findings until its report and figures were made available. Of course, thats assuming the figures mean anyAccording to Jim thing. Palmer, plant manager for American Salt Co. and a member of the Great Salt Lake Board, they dont. "If you put a bunch of junk in, you get a bunch of junk out," is the way Palmer puts it, referring to the team's findings. If Southern Pacific wanted the causeway breached, they would have found a way much cheaper than the supposed $8 million price tag, Palmer asserted. He guessed WINDJAMMER'S feiaWD DRea 12 and 9 Day tours 639 Thursday Doparturos 619 pivi i (Hawaii TO -- Tr... (4 uuwrfi) hy Tw (4 iiMi) Buy 1 1 CRUISE THE CARIBBEAN on the AMERIKANIS 8 Fantastic Days . 6 ports Of But Bruce Baird, a University of Utah management professor, in speaking for the study team at a recent meeting at the state capitol, claimed that if a mistake was made in the Bear Lake situation, it ought not be repeated. Baird admitted that building the causeway in the first place was probably a mistake, but breaching it at a cost of S8 million now couldnt be justified in terms of return from the view. be the Utah Division of Water Resources showed that a lake level of 4202 feet could cause as much as $3 million in direct taxpayers point of Under questioning, Baird admitted there was no assumption made by the study team that south arm business would fail and that recreational benefits were not He noted also considered. that some engineers questioned whether the breach was feasible at all. Although discounted as a central issue now by company spokesmen perhaps damages to lake facilities. Higher levels would cause The lake more damage. reached 4202.5 feet in 1976. The recreation issue presents a paradox as well. Increased salt 699 por poriM from UC (including air fara) MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE OR PANAMA CANAL shore development ay cause lake levels have been low this year the water level in the south could become important should it rise again. A report prepared last May Weve Opened A New Home On The Freeway Your Butterfield Ford Family, with over 40 years in the Ford business, has opened a brand new home to give you better service. Come out and visit with the personable people at Salt Lake County's oldest Ford dealer. A.L. Butterfield, vice president; Elias C. Butterfield, president; Roger Butterfield, used car sales manager and Brent E. Butterfield, new car sales manager extend a welcome. NEW FREEWAY LOCATION SALES INSANDY SM South 4 MS 566-244- 1 SERVICE i fo Wrong fim toMeralfir Extinguisher is liter the fire as started Ansul Fire Extinguishers are the standard by which most others are judged. Not only do they meet or exceed OSHA and insurance company standards, they set the standard for excellence and reliability. The best in equipment with the best in Thats Universal Safety & Equipment. and training: back-u- p The Ansul Company Norton Safety Products Johnson-Johnso- n Bacharach Instrument Co. National Draeger 3M Justrite Manufacturing Co. Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co. Brady Wlntor AlrSoa Crulso M.S. GOLDEN ODYSSEY Pram 998 per perten, double eccupency 4441 C. 2100 Si 486-476- 1 . S.L.C.. UTAH 04105 Universal Safety & Fire Equipment Company 1 56 West Utopia Avenue So. West Temple) (2170 801 486-23- a expanded marina, however, would be harmed by the increased salt content because of the adverse impact of salt on the boats. The sailors want less salt. be- aboard tho luxurious WINDJAMMER TRAVEL SERVICE as result. Boating and a possibly Book now for 1978 spacol 10-D- attracts tourists and would aid south And to make sure they do what you purchased them for we train your people to use them. Pram call endanger potential development on the south, also currently under study. Palmer, who is also a Tooele county commissioner, explained the problem was caused by the south lake no longer being a body of water without an outlet the definition of a salt lake. Palmer also refuted the argument that investors should have expected such a development and must live with it. He pointed out that Morton, American, and Hardy Salt Co. had all been there before the causeway was built and later changes of ownership shouldn't affect the question. Palmer said he had been with American since 1949. Palmer also questions the study teams conclusion that state money ought not be spent for the breach. He points to a state expenditure of $2.5 million for a portion of breach at Bear Lake and argues that consistent criteria for spending state money should be used. 13 |
