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<br />001238 <br /> <br />CHAPTER II I <br /> <br />REGIONAL AND LOCAL NEEDS <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Although there is a definite need for employment stimulus, there <br />is also a need to limit economic developments to those that would be <br />compatible with the environment and enhance the appearance and utility <br />of the area. <br /> <br />Since initial constructi~n of the Uncompahgre Project, many <br />changes have been made in construction materials and methods. Many <br />improvements have also been made in types of facilities and methods <br />of conveying and distributing water supplies, and in irrigation <br />methods to increase efficiency of water use, increase crop yields <br />and reduce labor requirements. <br /> <br />Shortages of irrigation water occur in some portions of the pro- <br />ject area during periods of peak use due to limitations of the avail- <br />able water supplies and capacities of portions of the water distribution <br />system. Investigations should be made to determine the best manner of <br />eliminating the shortages through more efficient use of water, reduction <br />of irrigated land acreages, or provision of additional water supplies <br />and conveyance capacities. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Under present irrigation practices, excessive amounts of water <br />are applied to some of the lands during portions of the irrigation <br />season when excess water is available. These practices at times <br />result in reduced crop yields, cause excessive erosion in certain <br />areas, and contribute to the salinity of streams draining from the <br />area. The cooperation of the individual irrigation water users is <br />needed to curb these practices. <br /> <br />Present maintenance practices and needed Rehabilitation and <br />Betterment Programs have resulted in replacement of many of the orig- <br />inal project structures with more permanent and efficient types of <br />construction but this work has been confined largely to the major <br />structures. A need exists for an overall re-analysis of the project <br />to determine what the role of the project should be in the light of <br />present and anticipated conditions and what changes should be made <br />to conform with the future development and use of the area and Region. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Operation and maintenance costs have risen steadily at an <br />increasing rate over the history of the project. Without replace- <br />ment or rehabilitation of antiquated and deteriorating project features, <br />these escalating costs could exceed the irrigators' repayment ability <br />and the district would be unable to meet its obligations. Possibilities <br />for reducing operation and maintenance costs include: discontinuation <br />of irrigation service to isolated areas of lands or other segments <br />where operation and maintenance costs are high; realignment of portions <br />of the distribution system to reduce lengths of distribution facilities <br />and related maintenance problems; replacement of old structures with <br />more permanent types of construction; provision of automatic controls <br />or other devices to reduce manual operation; provision of lining or <br />installation of pipe in canals, laterals and drains to reduce erosion, <br />maintenance and weed control requirements. <br /> <br />41 <br />