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<br />Land and Water Use <br /> <br />Land interests for the Uncompahgre Project include fee, easement, "subscriptive" rights-of- <br />way, and "reserved" rights-of-way. Subscriptive rights-of-way were granted by an <br />"Application for Permanent Water Right" and are recorded at the county courthouse. They <br />make project water available to landowners in the valley and grant the U.S. and UVWUA <br />rights-of-way needed for constroction, operation, and maintenance of project irrigation <br />works. The landowner does not receive compensation when subscriptive rights-of-way are <br />used, but constroction-related damages (such as crop damage) is compensated. If an <br />application is not on fIle, the U.S. could obtain rights-of-way reserved under the 1890 Canal <br />Acr. When using this Act, the landowner receives compensation for land-use and <br />construction-re1ated damages. <br /> <br />The 1984 Plan assumed canal and laterals would use be lined along existing alignments. <br />This alleviates the need for new land interests, except to meet temporary constroction needs. <br />Realignment for pipelines might require up to 500 acres of land interests acquired through <br />existing subscriptive and/or reserved rights-of-way. Because the existence of buried pipelines <br />will be less apparent than the open laterals, rights-of-way shall be documented. <br /> <br />Improvements to the lateral systems would have minor effects on land use. Use of land over <br />buried laterals would be restored to property owners by the East Side Laterals Project <br />compared to the 1984 Plan. Private use of the rights-of-way is acceptable as long as it does <br />not interfere with use and maintenance of the pipeline or other project features. Placement <br />of permanent structures within the rights-of-way is generally incompatible with project <br />purposes, and would require written approval by the UVWUA and Reclamation. <br /> <br />Reducing seepage should improve irrigation efficiency and may improve crop yields for some <br />fields. Where agrwd to in evaluating realignment possibilities, some marginally productive <br />irrigated lands may be converted to other uses. Water used to irrigate these lands could be <br />redistributed to other project lands. Overall, no significant changes in irrigation patterns <br />would be expected. <br /> <br />Land interests for habitat replacement lands would be purchased from willing sellers at fair- <br />market prices, Alternatives to purchasing private land in fee, such as obtaining long-term <br />easements or coordinating with other compatible programs, should be explored. Habitat <br />replacement areas would change use of those lands to emphasize wildlife. Candidate areas <br />would be evaluated to ensure adequate water supplies are available to support management <br />activities. If needed, water rights would be obtained under State water law. Some <br />conversion from crop or livestock production to wildlife purposes would occur. Management <br />plans would be developed to avoid or reduce conflicts with adjacent landowners. <br /> <br />3 The 1890 Canal Act is the Act of August 30, 1890, entitled Rie:hts of Way Reserved to <br />the United States for Canals and Ditches (26 Stat. 371). <br /> <br />16 <br />