WSP02127 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2. ';:1- areas. ( ,) . 'j 3. et) U\ 4. -..1 Control development in hazardous or environmentally fragile Provide adequate recreational opportunities. Conserve areas of scenic beauty or special interest. 5. Ensure development of the state's natural resources in a manner consistent with state and regional goals regarding environ- mental, economic development and social concerns. The levels of salinity in the Arkansas River increase from the Front Range to the Kansas state line due to use and reuse of the water for irrigation and to natural causes. Water quality is being degraded from municipal and industrial wastes and feedlot runoff. There is a serious problem of poor water quality in mountain streams due to drainage from mines and flow through mine tailings. Erosion and sedimentation from both man-made and natural causes occur exten- sively and contribute to the problem of water quality. Related damages include a loss in agricultural production; an increase in water treatment costs; sedimentation of reservoirs, irrigation canals, and streams; and a marked decrease in recreational and fishery values. Water quality management planning in the Arkansas River Basin, as well as throughout Colorado, is not only a major objective but is required at both state and federal levels. The 1973 State Water Quality Control Act requires that the Colorado Water Quality Control Division establish and conduct a con- tinuing planning process for coordinated waste treatment management as provided for in Sections 303(e) and 208 of the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended. Objectives stated in this Act are being pursued by the state agency and basically involve the achieve- ment of water qualitr goals which provide for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provide for recrea- tion in and on the water by July 1, 1983. This is roughly equivalent to the A classifications now used by the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, which are defined as fishable and swimmable waters.. Specific environmental planning objectives within the broad frame- work described above include the following: 1. Development and implementation of plans to provide for expan- sion of water-based recreation, either through the construction of new reservoirs or the use of privately owned reservoirs now closed to public use. 16 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I