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<br />. <br /> <br />that arises is: If a stream is not suitable for fish and wildlife <br /> <br /> <br />preservation and propagation due to factors other than quality, <br /> <br /> <br />such as' extended periods of low flow, should quality levels for <br /> <br /> <br />the preservation of fish and wildlife be maintained at great ex- <br /> <br /> <br />pense when lesser quality levels would be satisfactory for the <br /> <br /> <br />beneficial uses made of the stream? <br /> <br />The South Platte River and its tributaries in the plains area <br /> <br /> <br />are extensively used for irrigation. This means that there are <br /> <br /> <br />extensive diversions of water from the stream which drastically <br /> <br /> <br />reduce the streamflows. There are more than 65 diversions on the <br /> <br /> <br />Platte River between Denver and the Nebraska State line. All water <br /> <br /> <br />has been appropriated and is used and reused for irrigation. The <br /> <br /> <br />fish and wildlife resource for the South Platte and its tributar- <br /> <br /> <br />ies may be extremely limited in the plains area of the basin. <br /> <br />This element of the study would examine the South Platte River <br /> <br /> <br />and tributaries in the plains areas for their pristine, existing, <br /> <br /> <br />and potential fish and wildlife resources. It would determine if <br /> <br /> <br />the beneficial uses are mutually acceptable and what the cost is to <br /> <br /> <br />maintain fish and wildlife quality at recommended levels in compari- <br /> <br /> <br />son to the South Platte River and tributaries present main benefi- <br /> <br /> <br />cial use for agricultural irrigation. This element would determine <br /> <br /> <br />which uses are presently mutually acceptable and what their bene- <br /> <br />fits and costs ere. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />37 <br />