WSP00031 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

001 f26 . CHAPTER 11 RESOURCES AND USES Other Land Uses Industrial development within the area is largely local in scope being confined mostly to facilities for storing and processing agricul- tural products or for providing materials and services for local needs. Lumber mills, sand and gravel processing plants, and storage facilities for malting barley are located near Montrose and Delta, a sugar factory and a fruit processing plant are operated near Delta and a livestock feed mill and onion storage facilities are located near Olathe. Several facilities involved in the generation and distribution of electrical energy are located at Montrose. These facilities include: a small coal-burning generating plant of the Western Colorado Power Company; the Bureau of Reclamation's operation center for overall control, operation and maintenance of the electrical generating and transmitting facilities of the Colorado River Storage Project including the Curecanti Unit; the headquarters for the Colorado Ute Electric Association, a combine of western Colorado Cooperatives. Electrical power for the area is distributed by the Western Colorado Power Company and Delta-Montrose Rural Power Lines Association. . Residential land uasge has recently been expanding particularly in and near Montrose where growth has been stimulated by construction of the Curecanti Unit and the other facilities of the Bureau of Recla- mation and Colorado-Ute Electric Association. Montrose has also been affected to a lesser extent by uranium mining activities in the western portion of Montrose County near the towns of Nucla, Naturita and Uravan. Increased automotive travel through the area principally on U.S. Highways 50 and 550 has resulted in a need for additional services such as motels, restaurants and service stations. Recreational activ- ities are mostly confined to the higher elevation areas above the project lands. Waste and seeped areas adjoining the lands and the project water distribution system provide habitat for game birds such as pheasants and ducks, and various small animals. Hunting 18 these areas is a popular sport of local residents during the fall and winter seasons. Many big game hunters, including hunters from out-of-state and other parts of Colorado hunt deer, elk and bear during the open seasons of the fall months. Numerous campgrounds and picnic areas have been provided by the Forest Service, the State of Colorado and other agencies and organi- zations, particularly in the high elevation, alpine areas to accom- modate locsl residents and visitors from outside areas. These facil- ities are heavily used and often overflowing during the June through August period. . 29