WSP08424

• File Number: 8449.924
• Description: Upper Platte River Study
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 1/1/1980
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Work Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

Current Situation

In January 1978, a meeting between representatives from the State of

Nebraska and the USDI regarding this matter resulted in three commitments on

the part of the Interior:

1. to seek funding for the Bureau of Reclamation, now called Water

and Power Resources Service (WPRS~ to conduct water operation

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and water-use investigations;

2.

to obtain and transfer funds from WPRS to the USGS for use in

conducting hydrologic investigations; and

3. to formalize the administrative structure for coordinating these

investigations with the States, MRBC Chairman, and Federal

agencies.

USDI began to address the first two of these commitments immediately by

reprogramming and by seeking additional congressional authorization and funding

for such purposes. In February 1978, and again in February 1979, officials

from USDI--in testimony before the Appropriations hearings--indicated that the

study of the Platte River system was to be more than a study for a wildlife

refuge. It was noted that the FWS was initiating field work to gain more

knowledge on habitat and ecological aspects of migratory birds, and that the

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WPRS would be requesting funds to look at the water supply and demands for

water.

......

In the fall of 1978, USDI efforts in this respect were rewarded in the

passage of P.L. 95-495 and P.L. 95-482, which included appropriations to be

used by FWS, WPRS, and USGS for the Upper Platte River studies.

In February 1979, following discussions within USDI, and between USDI and

other interested parties, three USDI Assistant Secretaries (Land and Water

Resources - Martin, Energy and Minerals - Davenport, and Fish and Wildlife and

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