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<br /> <br />',. "l <br />. ,nn~'3Bo <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />14 <br /> <br />the proposed refuge is needed to replace waterfowl production <br />losses, hunting and recreation benefits can be realized inci- <br />dental to the basic purpose. <br /> <br />Because of the importance of the San Luis Valley to waterfowl, the <br />Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has established the Alamosa <br />National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Alamosa. For it, about 14,000 <br />acre-feet of water, of which 5,300 acre-feet would be in addition to <br />the current water needs, will be required to operate about 330 acres <br />of ponds, 3,700 acres of marsh, and 3,000 acres of irrigated hay <br />meadows. The rights for the supplemental water supply should be <br />acquired from water to be salvaged by the project. <br /> <br />The lowermost reach of the main conveyance channel wil I pass through <br />the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. Location and design of the <br />channel should be planned cooperatively by the Bureau of Sport Fish- <br />eries and Wildlife and the Bureau of Reclamation to avoid impairment <br />of refuge operations and if possible to improve the operation of the <br />refuge. <br /> <br />In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that: <br /> <br />1. Conservation and development of fish and wildlife be <br />included among the purposes for which the project is <br />authorized. <br /> <br />2. To improve fishing at San Luis Lake, the project plan <br />provide a boat-launching ramp, an access road, park- <br />ing area, and sanitary facilities at a cost of $30,000. <br /> <br />3. The water salvage channels be open to public access for <br />the purpose of hunting and fishing, with the following <br />exceptions: <br /> <br />(a) Where such use would endanger human life or hamper <br />efficient operation of the project. <br /> <br />(b) Where the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife <br />may limit access and hunting and fishing within the <br />Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed <br />Mishak National Wildlife Refuge. <br /> <br />4. Project plans contain provisions for supplying water on <br />a nonconsumptive use basis for trout hatching and rearing. <br />