WSP00433 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. .... h =: 1.),;;..L~ Goal: Encourage directed population and economic growth in each region with designated targets, relative to State projections to: . (1) Moderate growth in the Front Range - One of the Project's goals is that of providing additional municipal and industrial water supplies. Although water is only one among many ,of the factors responsible for growth, it does contribute to population and economic growth of the Front Range. However, the supplemental municipal and industrial water supply provided by the Project is only of such a quantity as to enable it to sustain its present level of economic development. (2) Allow for a slight increase in the mountains - As noted in Chapter IV of the Final Environmental Statement, Ruedi Reservoir will contribute to some increase in summer home complexes and tourist accom- modations. Access roads to previously remote areas and new recreation facilities at Project reservoirs could also contribute to limited population and economic growth. (3) Encourage and increase growth in the High Plains - New supplies of water to supplement existing irrigation will encourage economic growth in the High Plains area. This water will increase the value of the total crop production, increase farm-related sales, create new jobs, and con- tribute to the economic stability of rural areas, as described in Chapter IV under Impacts on the Agricultural Economy. Goal: Natural resources - The principal goals for the development of natural resources includes the following: . (1) Initiate measures to inhibit land uses which result in the unnecessary'conversion of prime agricultural land. Although the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project will take some agricultural lands out of production at Pueblo Reservoir: the 0ffG~ttiu~ ~timulat1ve factors to Q~Licuitural production should be noted. Pueblo Reservoir will allow irrigators to utilize water at the most opportune time for crop produc- tion. Additionally, imported waters will provide supplemental irrigation water to downstream irrigators. This increased supply will reduce irrigation water shortages and thereby help stabilize the agricultural economy. (2) Encourage effective and rational use of the State's water resources - The Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Operating Principles stipu- late how the water operation of the Project will be conducted. The Project will manage and utilize a portion of Colorado's share of the Colorado River water for the benefit of the State. Water decreed to the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project is in compliance with the Colorado River Compact of 1922, the Upper Colorado River Compact of 1948, and the Arkansas River Compact of 1949. The Operating Principles were prepared . XI-473