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'." CHAPTER I GENERAL DISCUSSIONS .,' '\ ." ~ 'i .J Massacre) and the Meeker Massacre which occurred simultaneously in 1879. These two events led to the expulsion of the Utes from western Colorado. The site of the Milk Creek Battle (about 5 miles upstream from Highway 13) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 1975, as the "Battle of Milk River." The site of the Meeker Massacre (in Powell Park about 5 miles west of Meeker) is considered for future registration. Small monuments now stand at both sites. Previous Studies Feasibility investigations for the Yellow Jacket Project were ini- tiated by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1961. The investigations begun in 1961 resulted in a feasibility report 'dated October 1968. The report recommended development of local water supplies for irrigation and indus- trial uses, as shown in the following table, and provisions for fish and wildlife and recreational facilities. Acquisition of private land in the Oak Ridge area, east of Meeker, for management as big game range by the State of Colorado was proposed. Lack of agreement on the big game recom- mendations led to reformulation of the project plan and a second feasi- bility report dated April 1972. The 1972 report recommended less irriga- tion, more industrial water, and a strong fish and wildlife program, including easements, land acquisition, landowner agreements, and big game habitat improvement in the Little Beaver-Oak Ridge area on public domain as well as acquired land. In spite of previous compromises and tentative agreements, there remained a lack of unanimity among the landowners, State and Federal wildlife agencies, and other interested parties. , ....'-. A comparison of the two plans is shown in the following table. 10