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<br />Every ground water aquifer differs in many respects from every
<br />other. Each rive:- basin has resources and problems which differ from
<br />evel7 oLler, While sor:1e general rules and laws could be made applicable
<br />to ground ,',ater on a state"wide basis, any law adopted should recognize
<br />th,,, vari.ations between scientific facts in the different aquifers and basi,ns.
<br />The people or ea'..h basin SllOUld be given the opportunity to conserve,
<br />de"/elop and plan the optimum use of its ground water resource. A basin"
<br />wide state 'agency for this purpose E.ither alone, or in conjunction v.'ith
<br />surface wa~er and other natural resources, should be provided.
<br />il
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<br />A study of the papers presenL"d at the Ground Water Section of
<br />ih", Wec~:ern P.eso:.Jrcee Conference, Colorado University, August 2'" and
<br />25, 19CO, demonetrates that the adoption of the doctrine of prior appro-
<br />l)riation in and of i.tself does not solv ~ the ground water pro~llem, An
<br />0'0'021':,,,,1 w::tter management program lor an entire river basin fsr both
<br />g:~ollnd ar:d .su:-face water is desirable.
<br />
<br />','he success of any ground wat~r program and the success of
<br />'3ifo:~ts to ::,.dopt a workable ground water 12.\'/ depend upon public accept-
<br />?nce 2,I1':i '_ooperation, Efforts ~o work out a solution to this problcm
<br />must J€ troug~.t down to the local level. The active cooperation or the
<br />surf<.:.c"e (",vner, the 'Nell owner, and the local community is an absolute
<br />pre:r.'~:'~1_,~.si.i:8 to success. Sllmmary presentation of ~stabli3h~ri scientific
<br />fc.c~c sl,(,ulci be given to the ground water llsers; the local. businessmen,
<br />a:uc' COi'::.1Jnnnity o:~ganizatior:,s in each area. Programs of this nature
<br />shoulci Ic2 give:1 in all the critical areas as vJell as in the enti.:e area
<br />:i.n VJ~1~.cb. GrQt~T')c ',1.'ate:':"" has been develo!=led. A tnorou6b progl'''a_~ of public
<br />j.!'f0:c'E1Cdvi: sLcll'd. he ~arr:ed uui. Likewise, a pc'ocedure sh,:>uld b2
<br />e,~t.?,hL' ~.:tled \?r,e::'''2oy the local well owner and ground water user is giver!
<br />ox, O~"l"u:-i:UC.,i,~y ~o I)res"",t his proposed solution of the problem. Through-
<br />out thp :-~~:"e:-~s I--.f ~xter.:.si.ve ground water us~, hearings shoulcl be held
<br />~:lr~ 3~1'~)11J:.:i bl2 .I:epC'::.~tec ~'or the r::Gnsideration of the stat e agencies and the
<br />le"!_;~_sl~ .U:"'8,.
<br />
<br />C;'="n'l)p.t'Cn~ l'esea!'chil' the ground water field as to physical facts,
<br />J2Yl, .?cr-no1J:i.cs, and pubiic admin5.stration does not of itself secure t.he
<br />"ci~\')li.o:1 ,:)f 2 good ['roilnd water prog~am. The need for active paTticipa-
<br />hon oi t~.2 :;:':''H1:1d wat.er user com,oencing at the local leveL on through
<br />the '.'c,riul's r Y'O~Josecl GrE(amzational steps must be recognized. P2:r--
<br />ticiCJ:',c,':s ct U'.c C;c'u'.nci lIlate:" Section of the Western Resources Conference
<br />P.l:. eLl1.'~8..S~.~2l~ thp need :)f ),ocal pa!'Ecipation~ aciequai:e public' knovlledge,
<br />&11<' ';,'ide puiJlic support, Any task brce to which this prublem is assigned
<br />SllOl'l(' Q:) ,,,i'I'2n adqua~e means or recording the comments of t::cse wh0
<br />F:=tr:~_':~.:l)atc;, r('32:~jing a record for ~'uture refe!.'ence is ~mpera.tive~
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