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<br />,PunOA'1'OIRE (l'lCKE'1' WIRE) RIVEtt, COLO.
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<br />to flood destruction, 'and general impairment of community welfare;
<br />The district engineer COJ;lcludes that .the annual tangible benefits,
<br />which approximatcly equal the annual carrying charge, plus the
<br />annual intangible benefitsl are sufficient to justify the, improvement
<br />and ,he recommends it suoject to the condition that local interests
<br />.f.1!,t!\,i~hthe ,hmdsand rights;of,way, hold and save the U,:,ited States
<br />free from damages, 'make the necessl\XY bndgeand draInage alter-,
<br />ation and maintain and operate the works after completion.
<br />5. The division engineer concurs generally in the views and recom-
<br />mendations of the district, engineer. He believes, however, that in
<br />addition to the conditions of local, cooperation recommended, local
<br />intcrcsts should insure that futuro encroachments that might affect
<br />the flood,carrying capacity of the river channel through the city
<br />will not be permitted. ,
<br />6, The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors concurs in the
<br />recommendation of the division engi,neer. 'However, due to the local
<br />nature of the benefits, the Board believes it equitable t!rat local
<br />, interests contribute substantially towards the cost of constrtiction.
<br />The Board accordingly recommends channel and levee construction
<br />, works for protection of the city of Trinidad, generally in accordance
<br />with the plan of the district ,engineer, at an estimated first cost to'
<br />the United States of $849,000 provided that local interests contribute
<br />'$60,000 towards the initial cost,subjec.t to certain conditions of local
<br />cooperation.
<br />7. After careful consideration of tJle above,mentioned reports, I
<br />concur with the reporting officers and the Board that the protection
<br />of the city of Trinidad in accordance with the plans presented by the
<br />district engineer is advisable and justified economically, The total
<br />cost would amount to $1,035,000,' and under the usual requirements,
<br />that local interests furnish lands and make necessary changes in
<br />existing improvcments, "the cost to the United States would amount
<br />to $909',000 and to local interests $126,000. I find no reason to
<br />require local interests to contribute an arbitrary $60,000 in cash
<br />towards the construction cost of thc levee and channel improvements
<br />as recommended by the Board. I accordingly recommend improve-
<br />ment of Purgatoire (Picket Wire) River,' Cblo., c.onsisting of levees
<br />and channel works for the protection of the city of Trinidad, generally
<br />in accordance with the plans of the district engineer, at an estimated
<br />c\,st to the United States .of $909,000, subject to the condition that
<br />responsible looal agencies give assurances satisfactory to the Secretary
<br />.of War that they will: (a) Provide without c.ost to the United States
<br />all lands, easements, a,nd rights,.of,way necessary for theconstrtiction
<br />of the project; (b) hold and save the United Statesf!'ee fr.om damages
<br />due t.o tho construction works; (0) make the necessary changes in
<br />public utilities, bridges, drainage inlets, and irrigation diversion
<br />facilities within the project limits; and (d) maintain and operate all
<br />the works after completion in acc.ordance with regulations prescribed
<br />by ~e Secretary of War.
<br />
<br />E. REYBOLD, ,
<br />Major General, '
<br />Olvief of Engineers.
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<br />94513-44--2
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