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<br />78
<br />
<br />In this region, rich with scenery and aest~etic values, competition
<br />
<br />for water has become an environmental problem that is especially impor-
<br />
<br />tant to the people living in this area (Bishop, 1971; Whittlesay, 1976).
<br />
<br />Agenc:l,es that act as custodians of natural resources are now being chal-
<br />
<br />lenged to weigh partisan views such as environmental concerns against
<br />
<br />economic needs, or preservation against use (McCloskey, 1973). Economic
<br />
<br />growt.h and env:l,ronmental priorities can be compatible if the social and
<br />
<br />economic needs of the people are balanced with the environment (Goldman,
<br />
<br />1973; Reynolds and Biswas, 1969). Historically, many decisions involving
<br />
<br />the planning of water use at all 1eve1s--1oca1, regional, and national--
<br />
<br />have been made by special interest groups with little public involvement.
<br />
<br />Ecological systems and public values are often damaged or destroyed
<br />
<br />through alterations of the aquatic environment. Recent and major changes
<br />
<br />in the attitudes and opinions of the public will require reordering of
<br />
<br />priorities and decision-making policies (Biswas and Durie, 1971; Fitz-
<br />
<br />simmons and Salama, 1973; Luce, 1973; Pierce, 1976; Shira, 1976). Cost-
<br />
<br />benefit analyses have been grossly miscalculated, Recreational benefits,
<br />
<br />some of which are intangible, have been inadequately represented in the
<br />
<br />past. These considerations are particularly important if the consequences
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<br />
<br />of water development or use are irreversible,
<br />
<br />It is anticipated that the urban population of the Colorado River
<br />
<br />Basin will increase 253 percent between 1960 and 2000 and require a three-
<br />
<br />fold increase in water for municipal use (Crawford and Peterson, 1974).
<br />
<br />In addition, some of the largest sources of natural energy fuels are found
<br />
<br />under the scenic rocks, plains, and mountains of this region (Crandall, 1974).
<br />
<br />Crandall ~tated that the need for natural energy fuels is growing faster
<br />
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