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<br />2918 <br /> <br />vi <br /> <br />questions to representatives of the Colorado .Iater Conservation Board or to repre- <br />sentatives of the Bureau of Heclamation. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />~t Morgan ideeting. - Approximately 38 questions were presented at this <br />~eeting, most of which were addressed to J. H. Knights, w~o was assistec by J. C. <br />Douglass, Bureau ~lanning ~ngineer. Quite frequently ans"ers by Bureau representa- <br />tives were ~upplemented by R. J. Tipton or Judge Stone. rractic~lly all questions <br />submitted at this meeting implied objection to the Narrows Dam and could be divided <br />generally into four cateeories: (1) Has full consiGeration been given to the <br />possibility of controlling floods above the mouth of Bijou Creek and have studies <br />been made of the possibilities for use of such water in the recharge of ground- <br />'water 'aquifers? (2) What policy and methods of procedure will be followed by the <br />Bureau of rtecl~aation in appraisal and acquisition of right-of-way for the reservoir <br />and existing water rights? (J) '"hat procedures vlill be followed in acquiring <br />water rights for Harrows? (4) What affect will removal of reservoir property <br />from the tax rolls have on the revenue of '"organ County? <br /> <br />A large group of persons attending the meeting was interested in the con- <br />struction of a dam or dams on upstream tributaries of the bouth L'latte itiver, par- <br />ticularly on Bijou Creek, which would make the water available for use farther up- <br />stream. <br /> <br />Individuals raising questions concerning control of floods in the upper <br />reaches of Bijou Creek and the possibility of subsequent recharge of Q~dergroUnd <br />aquifers included ]:;rnest roosener, lieil Rosener, .:leth Harshman, James Jo:. \iorth, and <br />Richard B. r'1Wnter. <br /> <br />Many property O~lers in the area to be inundated by the reservoir were in <br />attendance at this meeting and the 14 or 15 questior? ~sked pertained primarily to <br />the Bureau's policy and procedures in acquiring 5'IC: _.."'ol;erty. Concern was expres- <br />sed relative to whetl\er compensation for the pro!XI'\- ,;odd be consistent with <br />prevailing prices, the length of time that vmuld e=-apRe -oetl'ieen Government appraisaJ <br />and purchase of the propert7 and the receipt of pa:-mer.t tLerefor, how values <br />for businesses in Orchard and "'eldona wo'lid be determined" and the appraisal pro- <br />cedure to be followed in acquiring lands na~ leased ny oil companies from farmers <br />on an annual casis for oil exploration purposes. Questions concerning rightful <br />reimbllPSement to property owners in the f'loOOed area for intrinsic and sentimental <br />property values 'Lere submitted by '"arvin J>tchison, George A. ]:;pperson, j',ir. and '"rs. <br />R. J. Lamborn, J. Corder ~mith, Mrs. J. 1. 100se, and Pete Brunelli. <br /> <br />The policy to be followed by the Bureau of Reclamation in the appraisal and <br />value of water rights to be acquired in the "'eldon Valley Canal and the procedure t, <br />be followed in the utilization and disposal of such ,rights were questioned, and <br />concern was expressed that rights for this reservoir V,1) uld be adjudicated in <br />Federal Courts rather than t>tate Court's. Current practices of the Department of <br />Justice were cited as the basis for these fears. Assurance was given that all wat- <br />ers accruing to this reservoir would be administered in accordance .tith ~tate water <br />right laws. Questions on water rights were raised by George EpFerson as represent- <br />ative of many ditch companies in Colorado t>tate ~'ater District No.1. <br />