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<br />expense of instream values was questioned. To emphasize this <br />4It point, the governor stated that alfalfa which consumes 27% of <br />Colorado's water injected only $156 million/year into the state's <br />economy, while recreation and tourism accounted for more than $4 <br />billion in annual statewide benefit. <br />Similar disparities in value occur in other regions of the <br />West where fishing, cOlmmercial rafting, boating, and scenic <br />waterways attract large numbers of people. Millions of dollars <br />of revenue are lost when these activities are undermined by <br />diminished stream flows, losses that debilitate local economies <br />as well as prove disruptive statewide. The loss of recreational <br />opportunities also has a detrimental effect, unrelated to money, <br />on those who find pleasure and a release of urban tensions in <br />water-based activities. <br /> <br />4It <br /> <br />B. OTHER ECONOMIC BENEFITS <br /> <br />4It <br /> <br />Other sectors of the economy, independent of recreation and <br />tourism, are also enhanced by free-flowing waters. In many areas <br />of the West, revenues from water-borne commerce and hydropower <br />are important to the economy. Similarly, commercial fishing is <br />highly dependent on instream flows in many western areas. Also, <br />an environment enhanced by streams and lakes helps to attract new <br />businesses looking to locate in areas where their employees can <br />enjoy a high quality of life. <br />Instream flows also save cities and industries millions of <br />dollars in sewage and effluent treatment costs. Wastewater <br />typically must be treated to ensure that the receiving waters do <br /> <br />-5- <br />