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Show Diking plan studied Wjl By TOM HARALDSEN Davis County's contingent at the Utah State Legislature is hoping to gain approval for funding of a study on proposed diking of the Great Salt Lake. The first step in that process may occur late today, when the Joint Appropriations Committee on Community and Economic Development De-velopment discusses possible funding of a study on the feasibility of diking. During a meeting with reporters at the Capitol Friday afternoon, several members of the Utah House discussed the diking proposal. prop-osal. Rep. Stan Smedley of Bountiful Bounti-ful said this particular diking concept con-cept has not come before the legislature legisl-ature before. Diking was discussed briefly during legislative action a few years ago when the West Desert pumping project was approved. It was rejected, "not because it was unattractive, but because of its projected high cost," Rep. Kim Burningham of Bountiful pointed out. This new proposal, however, may prove to be more cost effective effec-tive than even the pumps. It began when Bountiful architect Don Johnson and associate Dave Cook approached Rep. Smedley and State Senator Jack Bangerter of Bountiful. A new type of diking system had been designed, one using us-ing large slabs of concrete that could be stacked to whatever lake depth necessary. The new design has the concrete slabs on either side of an earthen dike, the concrete con-crete thus preventing erosion of the earthfill. It would also provide a possible roadbase for reconstruction reconstruc-tion of a causeway to Antelope Island, Is-land, or a highway through western Davis County. "The concept was taken to Utah State University, and Don also approached county commissioners with the idea," Rep. Frank Knowlton Knowl-ton of Layton said. "It's very innovative, in-novative, with 13-foot panels of prestressed concrete slabs driven down, then tied across the top with cables. Rep. Knowlton pointed out that such diking could provide a variety of uses, including help for railroad and utility projects. Cost of such a plan would range from $85-90 million, mil-lion, less than half the cost of ear-thfilled ear-thfilled dikes. What county legislators are seeking this time is funding for a study of such a diking project, testing test-ing the concrete extensively in salt water, as well as for settlement when driven, tension and such considerations con-siderations in usage. Rep. Smedley added that soils in the area have already been tested during previous pre-vious studies on proposed diking, so much of the information necessary neces-sary is already available to the state. All seemed to agree that a diking project would have tremendous benefits be-nefits to the county. "From an area of economic development, de-velopment, the involvement of private pri-vate enterprise in all areas of the project would be tremendous," Rep. Knowlton stated. He added that with the interstate freeway system full, the long-proposed West Valley Highway through Davis County would become more feasible under such a diking plan. "It would cost about $400 million to repair the interstate system as it now exists," he said. "With the corridor so congested, it makes sense to look at the West Valley Highway as relieving that congestion." conges-tion." Rep. Smedley said that if the dikes along the west side of Davis County were expanded from 80 to 104 feet in width, they could indeed handle freeway traffic. "The availability of such a freeway system sys-tem through congested areas provides pro-vides safety as well. With hazardous hazar-dous waste being transported throughout the state, a West Valley udied yll system would take much of. that traffic away from residential areas." Perhaps the crown jewel byproduct bypro-duct of such diking would be the long-range economic benefits. The diking would provide not only a causeway to Antelope Island, but would allow development along the lake shore, including formation of a fresh water lake west of the county. "We could well have a relatively fresh body of water in a lake twice the size of Lake Powell," Rep. Smedley said. "With boating, fishing, and recreational usages, the potential economic impact of such a lake in our backyards is staggering." Legislators realize that such a project probably could not be built with local tax dollars, and alternate methods of funding would be necessary. Stressing the highway needs and impact first could expedite expe-dite the situation, however. The first step is funding the study, and that's where efforts will go beginning this afternoon. |