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8/11/2009 11:32:56 AM
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UCREFRP
UCREFRP Catalog Number
7777
Author
Ward, R. C.
Title
Proceedings 1993 Colorado Water Convention, Front Range Water Alternatives and Transfer of Water from One Area of the State to Another, January 4-5, 1993, Denver, Colorado.
USFW Year
1993.
USFW - Doc Type
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<br />"area-of-origin" concerns might be found in addressing the way we plan <br />for and develop future water supplies along the Front Range. <br /> <br />SOME ISSUES OF STATEWIDE CONCERN <br /> <br />Waste of Public and Private Funds: It is clear that our <br />independent efforts to secure individual water supplies is wasteful <br />and counterproductive. The institutional independence of water <br />supplies throughout the Denver Metropolitan Area causes isolated <br />surplus and shortage of water, and a premature need for additional <br />water supplies. This was demonstrated in the Two Forks EIS and became <br />a part of the permitting controversy. <br /> <br />Furthermore, our individual approaches have magnified the <br />complexity and expense of competition for our water resources, <br />assuring that every new appropriation or "change of use" will be <br />challenged by many other parties. <br /> <br />What did we spend for Two Forks? -- $40 million? <br />What about AWDI? -- $30 million? <br /> <br />And another $15 million or so on Gunnison? We are approaching <br />$100 million in expenditures on water planning and not a drop to show <br />for it. <br /> <br />Drv UP of Aaricultural Lands: A second issue of statewide <br />concern which has intensified these confrontations is the potential <br />dry-up of some of our most productive agricultural lands. Over the <br />years, thousands of acres of agricultural land have been dried up as <br />irrigation rights are sold and transferred to municipal water use. <br /> <br />Rural economics have been hurt. The local property tax base in <br />rural communities has contracted. Financing for schools, fire <br />protection, libraries, trash disposal, and many other community <br />services have suffered. As agricultural production in a community is <br />reduced, many related businesses also suffer -- from retailers to seed <br />suppliers to clothing and hardware stores, restaurants and movie <br />theaters. In the long run, this may threaten the integrity of <br />Colorado's rural communities and agricultural economy. <br /> <br />And these impacts may be contrary to the desires of most <br />Coloradans. Colorado State University conducted a poll last summer <br />which suggested that 73 percent of Coloradans would give highest <br />priority to water uses that sustain agriculture. Only 10 percent <br />would give highest priority to growing cities. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences: Environmental Consequences are also <br />often associated with water transfers, and federal and state law <br />precludes us from ignoring these consequences. These concerns were <br />not anticipated a century ago when we set out to "fully develop" our <br />water resources. Now, however, these concerns impose new challenges <br />on our ability to use Colorado's water where it is most needed. <br />Unfortunately, environmental consequences are very difficult to <br />measure or predict, and that makes them very easy to fight over in the <br />government bureaucracies and in the courts. <br /> <br />5 <br />
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