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<br />291}3
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<br />~O~f}lIORD
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<br />The proposed Narrows rroject is located on the South Platte River at the con-
<br />fluence of that river and its Bijou tributary, near Fort Morgan, Colorado. It is
<br />a proposed unit of the ilissouri' Basin Plan and has been authorized for construction
<br />by the Bureau of Reclamation. The project would serve multiple-use purposes, ---
<br />flood control, conservation of water for consumptive use in the area and re-
<br />regulation for maximum use in Colorado of water imported from the Colorado River
<br />Basin.
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<br />lfuen it was proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation to procecrl with final plans
<br />and designs and to secure all appropriation to commence construct.ion, the staff of
<br />the Colorado Water Conserv~tion Board, as well as local, affected interestes, raised
<br />questions relating to the loeation, reservoir capacity and plan of operation of the
<br />project. Also it >las fOWld chat the Uarrows reservoir vlOuld inWldate a large area
<br />of presently irrigated lane" ~t r:,.,s pointed out that every effort should be made to
<br />locate the project and confitle :its reservoir capacity for flood control and conser-
<br />vation so as to reduce to 2. o',in:j',,'Jm this inundation, whUe at the same time accomp-
<br />lishing the purposes of t~e ,,',"ojGc+'. accordingly, Hegion 7 of the Bureau of Recla-
<br />mation was requf>sted to de',~] :nlans and construction until further studies of the,
<br />project were made. Several meetings, attended by re?resentatives of Region 7 of the
<br />Bureau, of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and of the local interests, were
<br />held, and the Bureau underto0k the further studies on the project. The staff of the
<br />Colorado Water Conservation Board collaborated in certain phases of these studies.
<br />Several months were required to accomplish this work, and when the studies were
<br />completed they .:ere reviewed by the staff of the Board.
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<br />The various questions which were raised respecting the project and the nature
<br />of the protests again3t it are more fully disclosed in the compilation, to which
<br />reference is hereinafter made.
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<br />The ColoradO \'/ater Conservation Board, it was understood, would be required to
<br />act upon the proposed Narrows Project plan. In view of the questions and protests
<br />which were raised, the Board determined that there should be a careful analysis of
<br />the entire situation and on June 11, 1951 authorized and directed the Director of
<br />the Board to hold a series of public hearings.
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<br />These hearings were held at Fort hiorgan, Colorado on September'l); Sterling,
<br />Colorado on bepte'nber 14 and at Greeley, Colorado on September 15" 1951. Approxi-
<br />mately 250 persc.ns attended these hearings. The Director, R. J. Tipton, Consulting
<br />Engineer, and Ray ~. reterson, hdministrative Assistant of the Board, participated
<br />in these hearinGS. Represc;ltatives of Region 7, Bureau of Heclamation, also particl
<br />pated and present.ed t;"e p'-<"n for t."'-e Harrows .roject and made an explanation why, in
<br />the judgment of the Bur8au, the (jarrolls Heservoir, as planned in its restudy report,
<br />should proceed to construction. Opportunity lias given at these hearings for those
<br />in attendance to ask q1:.est:.ons and present oral and \,yi tten statements.
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