Laserfiche WebLink
<br />or national monuments. No decrees prior to that date in Colorado could <br />be affected, but it would certainly have an effect on anything granted <br />after 1938. What we are concerned about are the decrees that have been <br />granted in this district after 1938. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Let me ask again. I think it was asked before, but if <br />this is designated as a wilderness area, what effect, if any, will it <br />have on existing water rights other than on minimum stream flow or <br />any possible water project in contemplation? <br /> <br />Nr. Reid: Well, we will have the same requirements whether it is a <br />wilderness area or whether it remains as it is as far as water require- <br />ments. The creation of a wilderness won't change our position. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Well, it may not change your position. But what I am <br />asking is, will it change the rights of others that may have vested <br />water rights or water projects? As I understand, in the wilderness <br />area nobody can go in and build a fence or knock two nails into a <br />board, or anything like that. So what we are doing is foreclosing any <br />possible water developments in that area as a wilderness area. I would <br />want to know whether or not there are any projects that will be pre- <br />cluded by the designation of a wilderness area. <br /> <br />l~. Reid: Within the Monument, that is true. But without wilderness <br />it still wouldn't be possible to build dams inside the Monument. With <br />wilderness it would be more difficult, but if Congress so chose, why <br />it could still be done. It doesn't change it that much. <br /> <br />~tr. Ten Evck: Are any projects contemplated that you know of that <br />would be considering a dam within the Monument? <br /> <br />Mr. Reid: <br />to that. <br /> <br />There have been several site selections. Jim Jones can speak <br />I think he is probably more familiar with that. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: He is shaking his head no. He isn't saying possibly. <br /> <br />Mr. Reid: There is nothing right now, but there has been in the past. <br />There have been sites. Most of these are being revoked. <br /> <br />~tr. Sparks: In 1956, of course, we fought the battle in connection <br />with the Dinosaur area. The four states of the Upper Colorado River <br />Basin agreed to drop any plans in connection with the Echo Park dam <br />which was originally planned immediately below the confluence of the <br />Green and Yampa. By specific congressional legislation in the 1956 act <br />the Secretary was prohibited from building any dams within the ~IDnument <br /> <br />-l2- <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />