The report should stress the gains that are possible ■* 

 through increased water use efficiency and conservation. 

 Studies are needed to determine how much could be 

 conserved if conservation principles were applied. This 

 might be the best option of all for instream flows. 



Response: Water conservation is addressed in recommen- 

 dation #3b, page 5-31, Instream Flow section. We agree 

 that water conservation should be practiced, and that more 

 more information is needed to encourage conservation by 

 all water users. 



Jim Toole, Clark Fork Coalition 



• The model of Lake Pend Oreille shows that the throughputs 

 of nutrients are largely from the Clark Fork. In Flathead 

 Lake, there is much lower input, so the near-shore 

 contribution is proportionally much greater. 



Response: It is our understanding that very little is 

 known about the trophic status of Lake Pend Oreille. 

 While your statement may be true, the present and pro- 

 posed studies of nutrients in the Clark Fork and Lake 

 Pend Oreille under Section 525 of the Clean Water Act are 

 intended to provide the necessary hard data. 



• The aesthetic problems are perceived differently in the 

 Clark Fork than in other rivers because of low numbers of 

 trout. A similar algae growth may occur in the Madison 

 River, but the fishing has never been better there. 



• Utah and Colorado have just recently passed water use 

 laws. An analysis of these laws should be done, as there 

 may be some valuable information to be gained from that 

 legislation. 



• Fish kills in the upper river have been written off super- 

 ficially as due to copper toxicity. Data have been 

 produced by UM geologists on the flux in oxidation and 

 reduction that takes place in the Milltown sediments. In 

 the Milltown Reservoir, the metals react in response to 

 fluctuating redox conditions. The same process is taking 

 place at much higher levels in Silver Bow sediments. 

 During runoff, reduced forms of soluble metals produce an 

 acid-reduced state that is extremely toxic. 



A-13 



