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<br /> <br />CHAPTER II <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Lower and Upper Yampa Projects <br /> <br />Feasibility studies were initiated on the Lower Yampa Project in <br />1969, Land classification and drainage studies were completed, and <br />water supply and economic studies were started. A multiagency planning <br />team was formed, and preliminary National Economic Development and Envi- <br />ronmental Quality Plans were developed. The irrigation scope of the <br />project was drastically reduced from that in reconnaissance plans, but <br />a large amount of municipal and industrial water was added. Because <br />general investigation funds were limited in 1973 and 1974, feasibility <br />investigations on this project were suspended and have not been resumed. <br />This project is discussed in more detail in Chapter VI as a potential <br />unit of the UCRS. <br /> <br />Feasibility investigations have not been initiated on the Upper <br />Yampa Project, but it is being treated as a potential unit of the UCRS. <br />A conceptual plan is briefly described in Chapter VI. <br /> <br />Investigations Not Conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation is not the only entity that has been <br />active in water development planning in northwestern Colorado. All <br />of the earlier developments for irrigation and municipal supplies were <br />accomplished by private planning and private capital, often of local <br />origin. Since the 1930's, Federal and State programs have emerged to <br />assist in solving a number of water problems. As the area has become <br />more involved in energy production, corporate interests have become <br />active in the planning process. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The United States Department of Agriculture, through the adminis- <br />trative leadership of the Soil Conservation Service, has investigated <br />watershed and flood-prevention problems. The Colorado Divisions of <br />Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation (formerly combined as the <br />Colorado Division of Game, Fish, and Parks) have been active in plan- <br />ning and constructing facilities for fish and wildlife and recreation. <br />Oil shale, coal, and utility companies have been studying water devel- <br />opment plans since World War II, and some of their proposals are des- <br />cribed briefly in Chapter VI. The U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau <br />of Mines, and Colorado State University have also conducted studies in <br />the area in recent years. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />17 <br />