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<br />3722 <br /> <br />but who lack the time, the means, or disposi- <br />tion to drive the three to eight hours to <br />enjoy our mountains. <br /> <br />understandably, the irrigators diverting <br />water from the Arkansas River to supply their <br />farms with water are interested. Some irriga- <br />tors are willing to work with those primarily <br />interested in recreation on a step by step <br />basis, while surprisingly, some irrigators, <br />principally those having points of diversion <br />below John Martin Dam, are opposed to a perma- <br />nent pool above John Martin Dam at any time, <br />for any purpose, or under any circumstances. <br />If I understand their arguments, they argue <br />that the pressure for a permanent pool comes <br />from a very small minority of persons in the <br />Arkansas Valley. Now I have taken no formal <br />or informal polls of this but I suggest that <br />this is incorrect. It is my belief that it is <br />incorrect. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Opponents of the permanent pool also argue <br />that adequate recreational facilities and <br />boating areas exist very close to John Martin <br />Dam which would, or could be better developed; <br />that recreation development in John Martin <br />Dam is not feasible in view of the history and <br />nature of the project and the availability of <br />cheaper and better alternatives in the immed- <br />iate area. This position is refuted by the <br />fact that there are 180,000 visitors a year to <br />this facility even when dry, and when the water <br />is impounded these visitations increase dramati- <br />cally. When reference is made to other ade- <br />quate recreational fishing and boating areas <br />we assume that reference is made to various <br />offstream storage projects to the north. These <br />lakes do provide water surface for boating <br />and are utilized to a degree for fishing. Gen- <br />erally they are shallow and flat and are located <br />in uninspiring terrain. They are privately <br />owned and they are subject to the judgment, if <br />not the whimsey, of their respective owners. <br />Because of irregularity of replenishment, the <br />waters become heavily salt laden and the fish <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />~1 <br />