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. , DR4f:r state park facilities at the Great Plains reservoirs on an accelerated schedule. The Commission will use the information contained in this plan to help evaluate monetary and other costs, consider anticipated benefits and assess other factors before proceeding with the project. In effect, this plan will serve as both project road map and justification. o N ~ ~ QQ Senate Bill 92-167 required the preparation of this plan. The bill authorized the Division of Wildlife to spend two million dollars on the implementation of a "plan approved by the executive director of the department of natural resources and the wildlife commission addressing water-based public recreation on the lower Arkansas River (in the counties of otero, Bent, Prowers, crowley, Baca and Kiowa)." The bill further provided that the "plan shall be presented to the governor and the general assembly by November 15, 1992 and shall include a description of funds for implementation." The fourteen members of the Lower Arkansas River commission represent six counties, six state agencies and irrigated agriculture. Appendix B presents a list of commission members and their affiliations. Others with pertinent responsibilities and expertise have participated actively in commission deliberations. Interested members of the pUblic and regional media outlets have been kept informed of commission activities. A public meeting was held in Lamar on November 12 to solicit comment on plans to acquire water for John Martin Reservoir and to update people on activities related to the Great Plains Reservoirs. I I i I ,":'.-<1 .;... The first phase of the commission's work has focused on preparation of this implementation plan as required by SB 92-167. The second phase will entail building support for and finalizing the plan. The commission's third phase will be to facilitate and oversee the specific actions needed to accomplish its objectives. B. Project Description The project defined in the Lower Arkansas River Commission's objectives would create significant new recreation and wildlife resources in southeastern Colorado. project success will result in the diversion of sufficient water into two or more of the Great Plains Reservoir to support a state park. Once an adequate water supply has been assured, commitments will be made to develop state park facilities on a faster track than would be possible if only state funds were to be used. Sufficient water is a prerequisite to the completion of the project. Sufficiency of water will be measured in terms of surface acres of water available for recreation, value of the warm water fishery, enhancement of habitat for bird species of special interest, maintenance of acceptable water quality and delivery of irrigation water. 18