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<br />Any increase in return flows will benefit the riparian corridor in the basin including, for <br />example, the BOR riparian mitigation area for the ALP project. The return flows from <br />the system will also help to meet La Plata River Compact requirements and generate <br />more Colorado agriculture water. <br /> <br />11. How does the proiect relate to local land use plans? If conflicts exist., how will these <br />be addressed? <br /> <br />The La Plata County Comprehensive Plan recognizes that within the project area (l(nown <br />as Fort Lewis Mesa) there are several potential 'growth hubs'. The local Fort Lewis <br />Mesa Land Use Plan also notes the intention for future higher density development in <br />these areas and notes the need for alternative water supplies, stating that the "domestic <br />water shortages impact current and future growth." To address water shortages and the <br />impact on water rights from domestic wells, the Fort Lewis Mesa Land Use Development <br />Board is in the process of placing restrictions on domestic wells. As recommended in the <br />La Plata County and Fort Lewis Mesa Land Use Plans, the proposed La Plata West Rural <br />Domestic Water Supply System would have adequate capacity to meet future growth and <br />demands. Thereby, the water supply system will help to alleviate conflict between <br />domestic and irrigation water uses. <br /> <br />12. Identify any intrabasin conflicts and how they will be addressed. <br /> <br />There are no predicted conflicts from the project because the water supply is derived <br />from the ALP reservoir. Depletions from the Animas were fully addressed under the <br />ALP project. Appropriation of ALP water will depend on the distribution systems <br />available in the area. <br /> <br />13. Identify any interbasin impacts and how any conflicts would be addressed. <br /> <br />There are no anticipated impacts from using this water supply source because it will <br />import a new water supply to a water poor basin. <br /> <br />14. How does the proiect support agricultural development or protect the existing <br />agricultural economy? <br /> <br />The proposed La Plata West domestic water supply system reduces competition between <br />irrigation and domestic water users in a very water-short basin. Return flows in the area <br />from domestic systems will help meet La Plata River Compact requirements and improve <br />the groundwater (irrigation) supply. The irrigators in the La Plata River basin (the La <br />Plata Water Conservancy District) have sponsored the formation of the LPWW A and the <br />development of this water supply system, emphasizing the potential benefit to agriculture <br />in the area. <br /> <br />La Plata West Water Authority <br />La Plata West Rural DOlnestic Water Supply Systeln <br /> <br />2/26/2008 <br />Page 5 <br />