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<br />(3) A proposed committee of three selected citizens from <br />within the San Luis Valley will monitor the eXisting <br />snowfall and weather conditions within the San Luis <br />Valley and coordinate and recommend a suspension of <br />seeding operations during any periods of existing <br />snowfall or 'weather conditions within the San Luis <br />Vall ey that woul d unreasonably aggravate the abi li ty <br />of the Valley residents to conduct normal day to day <br />activities. <br /> <br />(4) ,Weekly news releases are proposed to the Valley news- <br />papers and other interested papers on the seeding <br />activities of the program during its operating period. <br /> <br />17. The committee of citizens referenced in item 3 was increased to five <br />members, who were selected by the group itself. They, are Robert Felmlee, <br />Center, Colorado, chairman; Ferron Layton, Conejos watershed; Andrew Quintana, <br />Alamosa watershed; Clinton Off, Rio Grande watershed; and John Werner, Saguache. <br />At the hearing in this matter, the licensed Operator indicated that he would <br />have no objection to others being named to the committee, particularly as to <br />a representative from the upper ,Rio Grande area, and he would have ria objection <br />to the selection of persons to serve on this committee by the Director of the <br />Department of Natural Resources, State of Colorado. <br /> <br />lS, The proposed weather modification operation is conceived to provide, <br />and offers promise of providing, an economic benefit primarily to the farmers <br />and ranchers in the San Luis Valley over an area of approximately SO by 125 <br />miles, which is a part of the area in vlhich the operation will be conducted. <br />The availability of increased water will also benefit others in the remaining <br />part of the area in which the operation will be conducted, but to a lesser <br />extent. While Mineral County is principally dependent on mining, lumbering <br />and tourism, it is not technically feasible to separate it, from the program <br />because of the location of the drainage basins. <br /> <br />19. Because the paramount design and operational features of the program' <br />have been based on the findings and experience learned by the Licensed Operator <br />in operating the Bureau of Reclamation's Colorado River Basin Pilot Project ' <br />fn the adjacent San Juan River Basin, and. in other operations in Colorado, <br />there is every reason to believe that the Project is scientifically and <br />technically feasible. <br /> <br />20. Persons in opposition to the permit have expressed concern about <br />augme~tation of precipitation on the following grounds: <br /> <br />(1) There may be increased "xpense for snow removal and reduced <br />road access. <br /> <br />(2) Problems may be created for wildlife, particularly elk and deer. <br /> <br />(3) There may be economic loss to cattlemen if weather modification <br />begins too early in the fall or continues too late in the winter in terms <br />of feeding and cow/calf operations. The Gunnison Cattlemen ask that no <br />permit be issued for operations beginning before November 15 and ending <br />after March 15. Other cattlemen were primarily opposed to any weather <br />modification during summer months, <br /> <br />(4) There may be loss to the sugar beet farmer when there is too <br />much moisture. <br /> <br />(5)'Additi onal preci pitatfon may reduce the operati'ng ,;days in "the <br />,mining and lumbering industries. <br /> <br />(6) There may:,be increased spring flood conditions 'to 'the Town of <br />,Ct.!,ede,' ' <br /> <br />(7) There may be permanent and substantial changes in natural <br />conditions of vlilderness areas which are incompatible with the wilder- <br />ness environmenL" and a reduction in' value of \'iilderness area for re- <br />creatJon, scenic, scientific) educational, conservation or historic use. <br /> <br />~.A- <br />