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Economic Analysis <br />The economic benefit of the project is considerable. The Mount Sopris Conservation District <br />estimates the value of property affected to be $30.7 million (3071 ac.X $10,000.00), within the <br />3,071 -acre service area. The short -term value of potential damage to this property in the event <br />the Missouri Heights Mountain Meadow Irrigation Company pipeline is continued loss of 30% of <br />the water. The loss in land value is unknown and may be incalculable. <br />Social and Physical Impacts <br />This project lies in the Roaring Fork Valley in the southwestern portion of Eagle County and the <br />eastern portion of Garfield County, Colorado. The Ditch is approximately 6 miles long, starting at <br />the outlet of the Spring Park Reservoir. The area is known locally as Missouri Heights and is <br />located north and east of Carbondale, Colorado and directly north of El Jebel, Colorado. <br />Additional demands on irrigation infrastructure and water resources is being increase because of <br />recreation and tourism, changes in agriculture uses of the land and increased population. <br />The project will have no significant social impacts, since it will assure the continued operation of <br />a currently existing irrigation system. The project will have minor physical impacts, once <br />construction is complete. The new lining will be in the same location as the existing open ditch. <br />The Missouri Heights - Mountain Meadow Irrigation Company is experiencing changes in <br />Agriculture use of water. The Agricultural use is changing to smaller land owners growing hay <br />and pasture, some nursery and tree farms and conventional agriculture crops. <br />Conclusions <br />1. The Missouri Heights - Mountain Meadow Irrigation Company is an incorporated entity in the <br />State of Colorado with the ability to enter into a contract with the CWCB for the purpose of <br />obtaining a Construction Fund loan. <br />2. Rights -of Way easements are adequate for the construction of this project. <br />3. The project would provide for the continued delivery of irrigation water to shareholders. <br />4. The total estimated cost of the project is $550,000.00 and this will be financed, in part, by <br />in -house financing, in -kind services, and various grants that are being applied for. The <br />Missouri Heights - Mountain Meadow Irrigation Company is applying for a $450,000 loan <br />from the CWCB Construction Fund for the amount not covered by other grants. <br />5. Missouri Heights - Mountain Meadow Irrigation Company is eligible for a loan from the <br />CWCB Emergency Infrastructure Repair Account because the project is necessary to avoid <br />unreasonable risk of injury or damage to human health or well -being or to property or crops, <br />and because the emergency condition is not the result of negligence in the operation or <br />maintenance of the infrastructure. <br />6. The project is technically and financially feasible. <br />