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<br />PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT <br /> <br />1- <br /> <br />The Lower Gunnison Basin Unit studies are being conducted in accord- <br />ance with the Water Resource Council's Principles and Standards for Water <br />and Related Land Resources Planning and Department of the Interior and <br />Bureau Instructions. An on-going public involvement program provides <br />interested and affected agencies, groups, and individuals opportunities to <br />participate throughout the planning process. <br /> <br />Planning activities for the Lower Gunnison Basin Unit were officially <br />launched with transmittal of a Notice of Initiation of Investigation in <br />December 1976 to several Federal, State, and local agencies. An organiza- <br />tional planning team meeting was held in May 1977 and six subteams composed <br />of representatives of Federal, State, local, and private interests were <br />formed. As many as 200 local individuals have participated in the study at <br />various times. <br /> <br />The overall purpose of the planning team was to determine the amount <br />and sources of salt loading in the Uncompahgre Valley and to formulate <br />alternative plans for salinity control. The subteams, coordinated by a <br />planning team leader, were primarily responsible for the generation and <br />review of baseline data. The subteams' recommendations were considered <br />in plan formulation and in selection of the recommended plan. <br /> <br />From May 1977 through February 1980, a total of six planning team <br />meetings were held to identify and review problems and issues in the <br />areas of water resources, land resources, environment, socioeconomics, <br />and public participation. At these meetings, problems and issues identi- <br />fied by the subteams were reviewed by the planning team. <br /> <br />Public involvement was focused through the planning team activities, <br />and nine meetings were held with various public groups, including three <br />open public meetings. The meetings provided a forum for exchange of <br />ideas and viewpoints on the project. <br /> <br />In August 1979, a public meeting was held to present alternative <br />plans to the public at large. At a September 1979 meeting, the public <br />identified the alternative which was most compatible with local interests. <br />An environmental scoping meeting was conducted in May 1980 to elicit any <br />public concerns about the project. The principal concerns expressed were <br />related to repayment of project costs and the feeling that there was an <br />over-emphasis on environmental aspects. <br /> <br />The selected plan reflects the public's preferred alternative, <br />modified to accommodate efficiency criteria described in the Principles <br />and Standards. Some concepts, such as land retirement and sprinkler <br />irrigation, were considered but were found to be unacceptable to the <br />public. The public wants to maintain the agricultural nature of the <br />area, and some farmers have found that their soils are not conducive to <br />sprinkler irrigation. <br /> <br />8 <br /> <br />00172G <br />