FLOOD01223

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Colorado
• Stream Name: South Platte
• Title: Upper Platte River Basin Study 1979-83
• Date: 1/1/1979
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

Dr. Millard W. Hall
and
Mr. R. J. Bruning
September 6, 1979
Page three

lists four major objectives of the study, all of which concern
habitat requirements and strategies to be developed that relate to
the maintenance of habitat for migratory bird species. Does this
mean that the need for wildlife habitat overrides the present use
of water in the Baein? The South Platte River in COlorado is the
most highly developed agricultural region in Colorado, due primarily
to irrigation. It also contains about 70 percent of the state's
population, mOst of whom depend upon the South Platte River system
for domestic, municipal, and industrial water supplies. Water use
in this area, as well as in the NOrth Platte Basin in Colorado, is
governed by an established water-right system of long standing.
The state of Colorado.would oppose any efforts which would recommend
the change in use of these established rights.

Authoritv and Justification

This section of the Draft Work Plan (pages 10 and 11) cites
the several authorities which apply to the conduct of the study, all
of which have been authorized by the U. s. Congress. We recommend
that this section also make referenee to other congressional authori-
zations (Narrows Project) and ratification of the compact and U. S.
Supreme court Decrees referred to in our comments above on "Approach
to Problem".

studv Oraanization and Re8POnsibilit~

The Draft Work Plan identifies the responsibilities of the
Study COOrdination committee. Included in these responsibilities is
the preparation of a draft study report, including conclusions and
recommendations. Since this is an Interior-led study, we do not
feel that preparation of the draft study report is a proper function
of the state members on the study Coordination Committee. Such a
responaibility haa never been presented to the state members here-
tofore. Bunds fOr such an effOrt were not appropriated by the colo-
rado General Assembly and staff limitations would preclude us fr,om
undertaking this workload.

state contribution to study;

As indicated above, funds for state participation in this
study were not inclUded in FY 1980 appropriations to the ColOrado
Water Conaervation BOard. until the Draft Work Plan was received,
the extent of state participation waa unknown. Because of these
circumstances, it is recommended that travel and other expenses of
the atate members on the Study Coordinating committee and represen-
tatives of other lead agency technical WOrk groups should be advanced
to the atates by the Department. of the Interior.

FED. tam
Enoloaure