Supplements 1-3 of Views, Comments and Recommendations on narrows Dam Project

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- 8- 2. The people of Morgan county oppose: it on the basis of the loss of revenue derived from the Weldon Valley from the standpoint of business and taxes. 3. The irrigation districts above the Narrows site oppose it because it will jeopardize the chances of any future development of their water supply and because of the location below the intake ditches of their respective district, it will do little or nothing to alleviate the water shortages they experience from time to time. 4. The people of the watershed areas of the tributaries contributing to the Platte River oppose it from the standpoint that it will jeopardize the chances of the development of future water supplies from their areas. They also oppose it from the standpoint of flood control, since it does not alleviate in any way the flood dangers in their areas. 5, Many people believe that any additional water developed through diversion projects and storage of flood waters, should be used primarily on existing irrigated land where the land has been leveled, ditched, and other- wise improved for an irrigated farm operation, rather than the possibility of the development of new irrigation projects in areas where farming is geared to a dry land farm economy, and where many farmers are not interested in changing their operation. Most of this opposition is well founded, and no doubt, all of it is sincere. It is imperative that it be given much study and consideration, and possible alternatives or modifications of the proposed project should be sought. These points of opposition could largely be overcome by a program of higher control and storage of flood waters, and by building a main strewn structure, or series of structuresfbr regulation and re- regulation of stream flow. The structure or structures could be of minimum proportions to do the job, which would in turn eliminate the condemnation of large acreages of pro- ductive farm land. This type plan should satisfy water users in the area below the proposed Narrows site, who are in favor of Narrows Dam, insofar as it would provide supplemental water as well as the needed flood protection„ as would the Narrows Dam. At the present date, when there are no new frontiers to be sought to increase our crop production to feed an ever increasing population, I believe it is sound business to develop our land and water resources to a maximum degree of efficiency, rather than to inundate a highly developed acreage of land in a project of doubtful efficiency and practicalness. I would like to suggest that from a practical and economically feasible Standpoint, that a plan along the lines outlined in this statement be studied for possible development as an alternative or a modification of the Narrows Dam Project. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Don Richardson