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\ t)G" " .;. ~....,.'..1 qeneral Description '.' the western and central sectors and 138 serves the eastern sector. Allor these highways are lilli,ed together and tie in with other Federal and State highways of the surrounding area. The two larger towns, Sterling and Fort Morgan, have airports, and some of the smaller communities have airstrips or landing fields. Commercial airline services are available within a rew hours travel time. Adequate means for communication are available, including telephone, telegraph, radio and television. Adequate facilities are avai1ab1eror satis~ing the immediate e1eotrica1 energy needs or the area. Private power companies now furnish electrical energy to Sterling and Brush. Fort Morgan and Julesburg have municipal systems, and REA systems serve the rural sectors. Pipelines installed by private companies serve all the principal towns with natural gas. In addition, an interstate pipe~ line system for gathering refined products or local plants is located in the area. Educational facilities through high school are available locally. Institutions of higher learning, especially the junior college at Sterling, Colo., are also ravorably located to serve the residents of the area. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS As a result of severe water shortages and numerous disastrous floods the need ror an adequate irrigation and flood control reser- voir near the present site has been recognized locally ror more than 50 years. Following early investigations by private interests, the Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation, the Narrows Dam and Reservoir was eventually authorized as a unit of the comprehen- sive Missouri River Basin Project by the flood control acts of 1946 and 1950. Preconstruction activities were initiated in 1947, and a definite plan report was prepared by the Bureau or Reclamation in 1951. Public hearings were held in 1951, which indicated considerable opposition to the plan, principally by residents located in the reservoir area. As a result of the lack of official support by the State of Colorado, all preliminary activities on the dam and reser- voir were terminated. During the intervening years, many discussions and meetings of interested groups were held, a steering committee was organized, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board advanced funds to the Bureau of Reclamation for the resumption of studies. The Bureau was specifical- ly requested to make a hydrologic study and cost comparison of an up- stream site in Weld County. These studies terminated in a meeting of the Colorado Water Conservation Board in Fort Morgan on Septem- 10