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<br />. <br /> <br />UlAPTER II <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Purpose and Objectives of the Investigation <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The original purpose of the Upper Colorado Resource Study when ini- <br />tiated in January 1976 was to accelerate completion of a unified feasi- <br />bility investigation to consider the development of a project or projects <br />to utilize primarily the waters of the lower White and lower Yampa Rivers. <br />The study was to identify reasonable alternatives associated with other <br />upper basin streams and to include non-Federal alternatives to meet the <br />following principal objectives: (1) provide water for the most likely <br />and projected levels of production from specific oil shale tracts pres- <br />ently leased from the United States in Colorado and Utah; (2) provide <br />municipal water to the needs of oil shale industry support populations <br />in both states; (3) provide water for certain lands east of Ouray, Utah, <br />belonging to the Uintah and Ouray Ute Indian Tribe; (4) provide water for <br />a reasonable amount of other irrigable land in both states; (5) enhance <br />stream fisheries and recreational opportunities; and (6) serve other mul- <br />tiple uses as could be accommodated. Energy demands were to be consid- <br />ered in all alternatives suggested. <br /> <br />As the Resource Study has progressed, the purpose has been expanded <br />to include the upper drainage areas of both rivers. This was done pri- <br />marily because of increasing interest and activity in the bituminous <br />coalfields and associated population increases in these areas. <br /> <br />It was not the purpose of the UCRS to find cause for recommending <br />further Federal action. If it were found that Federal involvement was <br />needed, specific units were to be outlined based on alternate plans <br />developed during the course of the investigations. These units were <br />then to be studied in more detail, and separate reports, including en- <br />vironmental statements, were to be prepared for each. Prior to any <br />recommendations, public input was to be sought through public meetings <br />and other involvement programs. <br /> <br />Three Federal projects for which feasibility investigations had <br />been authorized were incorporated as units in the study. Investiga- <br />tions for the Yellow Jacket Project are nearing completion. Investi- <br />gations for the Lower Yampa Project have been initiated, but data are <br />still needed to finalize a feasibility report. Studies for the Upper <br />Yampa Project, on the other hand, have not progressed much further <br />than the identification of specific areas to be investigated. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />10 <br />