WSP01757

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Federal Agencies - BOR - Upper Colorado Region - Salt Lake City
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 3/10/1976
• Author: BOR
• Title: Notice of Initiation of Investigation - Upper Colorado Resource Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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UNITED STATES ~
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION; UC REGION

MAR 1 5 1976

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NOTICE OF INITIATION OF INVESTIGATION

COLO. WA', [R
CONSERVATlQN ~l!!\'~G

Name.of investigation: Upper Colorado Resource Study

Location of investigation: Eastern Utah and Western Colorado. In Utah
it would include the portion of Uintah County generally east of the Green
River to the Utah-Colorado state line. In Colorado it would include the
White River and Lower Yampa drainages in Moffat, Routt and Rio Blanco,
Counties.

Date investigation initiated: Feasibility investigations initiated in
January 1976. Scheduled date of completion of proposed feasibility report--
December 1976. Investigations on the Yellow Jacket Unit, which will become
a unit of the study, have been underway duri ng the past year.

1. Scope of investigation: To determine feasibility of development of a
unit or units to util i ze primarily the water resources of the White and
Yampa Rivers. The study will identify reasonable alternatives, including
non-Federal development, to primarily meet the water requirement of the
prototype oil shale development on Tracts C-a and C-b in Colorado, and
U-a and U-b in Utah. The primary consideration would also include water
for Group 6 and 7 Indian lands of the Ute Tribe, east of .ouray, Utah, and
water requirements for the development of the Tribe's mineral resources,
including oil shale. Other considerations would include: enhancement of
stream fisheries and recreation values, municipal water needS' in Colorado
and Utah, water to serve non-Indian irrigab1e lands in both states, and
water for.energy development other than the prototype oil shale program.

2. Problems: Determine problems and needs of the study area and
develop plans to provide water requirements for the most likely and
projected levels of prOduction of the oil shale tracts, provide M&I
water to support populations in both Colorado and Utah, resolution of
water rights and water allocations, attaining efficiency in use of water,
'and resolution of environmental effects from the project. Coordination
required relative to developments planned within the project area by
various State, local, and private organizations. Meet the needs of
Indian and non-Indian interests.

3. Prospective Solutions: Feasibility studies would be conducted
consistent with present Multiple-Objective Planning procedures, including
the preparation of environmental impact statements and socio-economic
impacts. These studies will be conducted under Bureau of Reclamation
leadership involving all appropriate Federal agencies, the states of
Co 1 orado and Utah, appropri ate water conservancy di stri cts, and other'
local industrial, and public representatives interested and willing to
participate in planning.