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<br />2.7 Summary <br /> <br />The foregoing information must be summarized to present a coherent understanding of the study <br />scope and the essential issues to be addressed. The resulting understanding will determine the <br />emphasis of the study activities and shape the content of succeeding chapters of this report. <br /> <br />There are two purposes to the study. The first is to understand and characterize the Ft. Lyon Canal <br />Company system, together with such surrounding area as may be affected by transfer of water out <br />of the system. This is accomplished by an identification of issues, description and analysis of <br />historical water transfers in the region, and developing knowledge of the forces underlying the <br />motivation to buy and sell water. The physical and social systems are described in detail. The <br />second purpose, following from the first, is to identify and analyze alternatives to a large-scale <br />transfer. This is accomplished by seeking strategies, management tools and applications of resources <br />which provide overall net benefit to the Ft. Lyon system and the region. Alternatives which present <br />the possibility of hydrologic, economic, legal, social, and environmental feasibility, as compared to <br />a large-scale out of basin transfer, should receive further attention. Those that do not should be set <br />aside. <br /> <br />Basin characteristics suggest that water availability is quite variable, distribution is highly developed <br />and that water supply systems are complex and interdependent. Water quality is marginal, mainly <br />due to naturally occurring high salinity, and is aggravated by intense use and reuse. <br /> <br />Water transfers in Colorado are allowed, subject to the "no injury" rule, but can be controversial and <br />expensive. The effects of a water transfer on third parties and the environment are not oonsistently <br />addressed by Colorado law at present. Thirteen historical water transfers in the lower Arkansas <br />Valley are identified and assessed They have resulted in a net loss of 18 percent of irrigated land <br />and associated production. Net impacts on the valley from these transfers are difficult to identify <br />because most of the water has been used within the basin and imports of water by transmountain <br />projects have increased over time. <br /> <br />From the discussion of issues identified, the following are major issues to serve as focal points for <br />the FI. Lyon study: <br /> <br />Ft. Lyon service area: <br /> <br />1. Is the on-farm operation affected by changes in ditch operations; does the dry-up of adjacent <br />land affect non-sellers; are individual land and property values diminished; are on-farm <br />operating costs increased? <br /> <br />2. Is the ditch company viability materially changed by; increase in cost for current services, <br />decreases in the quality of maintenance and management services, increases in scope of <br />company responsibilities? <br /> <br />2-15 <br />