WSP02594

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 9/1/1982
• Author: Arthur D Little Inc
• Title: Six State High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer Regional Resources Study - Interbasin Water Transfer Assessments
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

Regi onal Study El ement B-1, the interbas i n water trans fer assessment,
has been an interactive and cooperative effort among the major study par-
ticipants. Perhaps more directly than for any other element, the General
Contractor (High Plains Associates--CDM, ADL and B&V), the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and the individual states have each had specific responsibilities
for parts of the requi red B-1 assessments.

The division of responsibilities among the respective study participants
is detailed in a later section. This introduction is devoted to the back-
ground, authority, organization, purpose and approach which guided the water
transfer studies.

BACKGROUND

There has been an extensive interest and history of previous studies of
potential water importation to the High Plains Region. Some were focused
specifically on the needs of the Region while others incorporated the High
Plains into larger national and international water transfer schemes. The
Region's natural suitability for intensive agricultural production, combined
with its present reliance on a diminishing ground water supply - the Ogallala
Aquifer, have given rise to repeated efforts to protect the long-term produc-
tivity of the Region.

This need was again recognized in the language of the enabling legisla-
tion (P.L. 94-587) which authorized and funded the High Plains Study.

AUTHOR ITV

The Hi gh Pl ai ns Study was authori zed by the United States Congress
October 22, 1976, in Public Law 94-587 (90 STAT. 2943). The language of the
Act is quoted here in its entirety because of its unique regional concept,
presenting explicit identification of the coordinated involvement contemplated