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<br />CHAPTER II <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Authority for the Study <br /> <br />The Upper Colorado Resource Study is being conducted as a composite <br />of several authorized feasibility studies. The Colorado River Storage <br />Project Act of April 11, 1956, authorized the investigation of the Yellow <br />Jacket and Juniper Projects. The Colorado River Basin Act of September <br />30, 1968, authorized investigation of the Upper and Lower Yampa Projects <br />and the Ute Indian Unit of the Central Utah Project. Both river basins <br />are involved in the CRSP Power Peaking Studies authorized by Public Law <br />85-561 of September 7, 1966. <br /> <br />The five projects as authorized under the first two acts named above <br />involved nearly all of the UCRS area. The Yellow Jacket Project covered <br />much of the upper White River Basin and a small portion of the southern <br />drainage of the Yampa River Basin, while the Juniper Project covered a <br />large portion of the lower basins of both rivers. The Lower Yampa Pro- <br />ject covered the same area as the Juniper Project and an additional area <br />in the middle reaches of the Yampa Basin. The Upper Yampa Project ex- <br />tended upstream in the Yampa Basin from the Lower Yampa Project area to <br />the headwaters. Most of the area proposed for the Ute Indian Unit lies <br />on the west side of the Green River and outside the UCRS area, but a <br />small part lies along the lower reaches of the White River within the <br />Juniper and Lower Yampa Unit areas. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Rationale for a Concluding Report <br /> <br />There has been a delay in completing the feasibility report for the <br />Upper Colorado Resource Study, caused at least in part by a lack of reli- <br />able definition of program objectives. Uncertainties in the commitments <br />for water use have continually extended report completion dates. The <br />sources of these uncertainties have been the apparent withdrawal of pre- <br />vious interest by coal and oil shale industries. Changes in technology, <br />extent of Federal participation and uncertainties regarding population <br />projections and future irrigation requirements make it difficult to iden- <br />tify a course of study. The same problems are making it difficult to <br />continue feasibility studies on the Yellow Jacket Unit at the present <br />time. <br /> <br />It is quite probable that at some time in the future definite water <br />needs may become apparent and investigations may be reopened on one or <br />both of these programs. A large amount of data has been gathered for <br />the studies, with considerable expenditure of funds. It has therefore <br />been determined that the present available data should be summarized and <br />consolidated in this report to provide an advanced starting point for <br />any future studies that may be required, <br /> <br />This report does not close the door on future studies. It merely <br />signals the end of the present investigations and perpetuates the data <br />for future use. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />11 <br />