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<br />FRYINGPAN-ARKANSAS PROJECT
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<br />aoquired by the' appropriation or use of water through the works of the projeot,
<br />in eastern COlorlado, exoept vested rights to present appropriations; provided,
<br />however, that the title so taken shall be subject to a beneficial use of such water
<br />as may be provided in the payment contract or contracts. The rights to store
<br />water in Aspen Reservoir under the applicable laws of the State of Colorado
<br />shall be initiated and acquired by and held in the name of the United States
<br />pursuant to those laws,
<br />17, To assure' project operation in conformity with the operating principles
<br />heretofore stated" to provide a means for the collection and interchange of infor-
<br />mation, and to provide a method for the continued study of project operations
<br />to the end that, If the stated operating; principles may be improved upon, recom-
<br />mendations for ohanges may be made to the contracting parties, a commission
<br />shall be created in an appropriate manner to be composed of1 representative
<br />of the Eastern Oolorado Conservancy District, 1 representative of the Colorado
<br />River Water COJ;lservation District).. 2 representatives of the United States, and
<br />1 representative, of the State of \Joiorado appointed by the Colorado Water
<br />Conservation Boitrdafter consultation with the Colorado Game and Fish Com-
<br />mission, The powers of such commission shall be limited to the collection of
<br />data, the making of findings of fact, and the suggestion of changes in operating
<br />principles,
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<br />OONCLUSIONS
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<br />'75. The waters of the Arkansas River in the Oolorado portion of
<br />the' upper A*ansas River Basin are overappropriated. Serious
<br />distress is caused to the economy of the basin in short water years
<br />through loss in crop production. Supplemental irrigation water
<br />supplies are ne,eded. The additional crop production would find a
<br />ready market ih the urban centers of Oolorado and the Nation,
<br />76. No new sources of water :within the means of the municipalities
<br />and industries {tre apparent. Present municipal supplies, even after
<br />substantial acquisition of irrigation rights, are barely adequate to
<br />supply existing requirements. Additional quantity and better
<br />quality of water are critically needed,
<br />77. Normal uses of electric energy would expand rapidly in the
<br />power market lirea if not restricted by a limited supply. Resource
<br />development WQuld be encouraged if energy were available in plenti-
<br />ful supply. ,
<br />78. Floods iJ),the upper Arkansas Valley threaten the loss of
<br />property and qiscourage investment. Sediment deposition chokes
<br />channels, incref!,ses Hood threats, and raises maintenance costs of
<br />extensive irrigation systems. Stream pollution threatens health and
<br />destroys fish habitat. Flood, sediment, and pollution control would
<br />lower costs and 'remove threats.
<br />79. Recreational, fish, and wildlife resources are valuable assets
<br />of Oolorado and: of the Nation. These resources should be protacted
<br />and enhanced to the greatest extent practicable. '
<br />80. Misuse of forests and ranges reduces production and contributes
<br />to the sedimentation of streams. Tailings from mines add to the,
<br />silt burden and pollution of otherwise usable water supplies. Bettar
<br />management practices and silt-prevention methods should be
<br />encouraged,
<br />81. The initial development of the Gunnison-Arkansas project
<br />would supply the most pressing and immediate needs of the upper
<br />Arkansas River :Basin.
<br />82. The diversion area has a plentiful supply of water, part ofwmch
<br />could feasibily be diverted without detriment to that area or to down-
<br />stream users. Although all possible future water requirements for the
<br />entire western slope have not been fully determined, it is concluded
<br />that there is an aqequate water supply from Oolorado's allocated share
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