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<br />o\-{.' <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />without further delay; and the petition uTged the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board immediately to accept and approve the proposed construction of the dam <br />at the Narrovls site. This petition was considered by the Colorado \Iater Con- <br />servation Board at its meeting on December 16-17, 1949. The Board reviewed <br />its formeT action in the matter and heard proponents of the petition. Also, <br />those who favored the previous action of the Board were heard. After further <br />consideration of the matter, the Board passed a motion that the Jirector should <br />prepare a memorandum for transmittal to all persons who siGned the petition, <br />explaining the action taken b~' the Board and the reasons therefor. The <br />Tlreparation and transmittal of this memorandum has been delayed in the hopes <br />that the pending investiGation would reveal more definite facts which could be <br />explained in the memorandum sent to signers of the petition. <br /> <br />This investisation has proceeded under the direct supervision of Region 7 <br />of the Bureau of ileclamation. Frequent conferences have been held vtith engi- <br />neers of the Colorado .Iater Conservation !loard. No definite conclusions have <br />resulted to date, but the matter is being pushed as expeditiously as possible <br />under all of the circumstances. <br /> <br />The Narrows Dam is a large str~cture involving expenditure of many <br />millions of dollars and will permanently affect the economy and potentialities <br />for the best use of water in the area. It is the belief of the \1ater Board, <br />as shown Qy careful study and consideration of the matter, that a relatively <br />short delay in commencement of construction is of minor importance as compared <br />.dth the necessity of developing the best plan for the general welfare and <br />economy of the area; and it is also necessary in establishing a plan of opera- <br />tion to recognize existing water rights in the area as well as the rights of <br />water users under the Northern Colorado ~jater Conservancy District in the use <br />of water made available by the Colorado-Big Thompson Project., Another impor- <br />tant element involves the necessity of reducing to a minimum any detriments <br />which arise from the flooding of existing irrigating areas by the proposed <br />reservoir. It is also important to consider the proposed storage of water qy the <br />project in connection ,"ith improved storage potentialities in existing reser- <br />voirs which nm" serve irrication in the area, Studies of seepage at Fort Norgan <br />and the vicinity from the reservoir are lil<evrise required before final decisions <br />on location and Teservoir capacity are made., The desiTe to expedite the ex- <br />. penditure of Federal funds in the area can be .',iven little weight in the light <br />of these nec8ssary objectives.. <br /> <br />Those who receive this memorandum l;;ay be assured that the Colorado ::ater <br />Conservation Board is attell"<".tinC, in its action on this subject, to obtain the <br />