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<br />. <br /> <br />'- <br /> <br />The feasibility and implementation phase of the San Miguel Study is currently underway in a <br /> <br /> <br />joint effort by the CWCB, Boyle Engineering, the Bureau of Reclamation, the County Extension <br /> <br /> <br />Service, the Soil Conservation Service and the locai ditch companies. The first steps in <br /> <br /> <br />feasibility and implementation include the development of a detailed data base of farm specific <br /> <br /> <br />information, reservoir operating plans for the irrigation systems in the study area, a water <br /> <br /> <br />marketing program to encourage the voluntary exchange of water between irrigators, and site <br /> <br /> <br />specific investigations for future structural improvements. <br /> <br />Future activities proposed for the next three to four years include improvements in operations, <br /> <br /> <br />maintenance and irrigation efficiency as well as expansion of an existing reservoir and <br /> <br /> <br />improvements to the distribution systems. The long-term objectives of the program are more <br /> <br /> <br />efficient use of existing water supplies, joint operation of the two major irrigation systems in the <br /> <br /> <br />study area and additional storage capacity. <br /> <br />While much remains to be done to realize all of the benefits of the proposed San Miguel Project, <br />the process is well underway. During the next two to three years, study recommendations <br />should result in some significant changes in the study area. The most significant changes, <br />however, have already taken place and they are an increased spirit of cooperation among water <br />users and a willingness on their part to explore new ideas. <br /> <br />The San Miguel Study represents a potential new direction in water resource planning for the <br />CWCB and for Colorado. Traditionally the CWCS has funded primarily structural <br />Improvements, This is the first time the agency has considered a project which relies heavily <br />upon non-structural improvements. The reason for this is apparent in that the combination of <br />structural and non-structural measures is by far the most cost-effective means for improving <br />water yields in the San Miguel study area. Given the competition for the use of limited public <br />funds in Colorado and elsewhere, this approach appears to hold a great deal of promise for the <br />future. <br /> <br />9 <br />