WSP02731

• File Number: 8040.400
• Description: Section D General Studies-Environmental
• State: CO
• Date: 4/5/1972
• Author: ROMCOE
• Title: Informational Alert on Senate Bill 520
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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WHAT ARE THE GOOD POINTS OF SENATE BILL 520?

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I. Hel.p. to i.nsure. present water obi igations are met.

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2. Help. to makeup deficits. in water obi igatibns.

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3. Possibly. sUPll;ly more water for present Coloraoo re'sidents.
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4. Maybe help the National Wi Idlife Refuges to maintain habitat.
5. Provide short-range employment in construction of the project.

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Provi de, long-ra8ge ,emp loyment for operators' of the project.

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.WHAT ARE THE BAD POINTS OF SENATE BILL 520'?

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I. Possible adverse effect on existing water uses in San Luis Valle/:,

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2. E~vlronmental degradation, meaning:

A. unsightly p.roject structures

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B. destruction of. some of the best trou't'fisheries in New Mexico'~md Colorado

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C. increased water siltation from earthmovlng'process8s

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D.. possible. increase. i.n' sal inization of water' and"land

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"mi ni ng" of. water f rom the. bas in if runof fs' 'Into ;he bas I n are!' ~te;-(:epted
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"In order to make the project reasonably effective, it is our opinion that
the surface phreatophyt.IC vegetation wou I d have to be eradi ca'ted. However,
if the natural phrea;tophytic vegetation is erild'lcated"'lts"soiI stabi Ilzlng
influences would be removed, which could result in sand and soi I movement
,S i rn iJar to, that in.. the' area of the sandduneS'i" 1'967 Report,.'

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G. destruct i.on .,of wi I.d ,andsceni c rtvers'by' dam' and rese'rvoi r'cohstruct Ion
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Cost -- appropriation of $15,400,000 at January 1969 prices.

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