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<br />Economic G}3enifits Cited by Straus
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<br />The eastern slope project area extends from the
<br />headwaters of the Arkansas river near Leadville tci the
<br />Colorado, Kansas b,oundary. The upper reaches of the
<br />Arkansas valley are as rugged as the western slope diver-
<br />sion area. The Rocky Mountains reach their highest
<br />elevation near Leadville at Mt. Elbert, 14,431 feet, Mt.
<br />Massive, 14,419, and Ml. Harvard, 14,399.
<br />Of the estimated cost, $18 million would be non,
<br />reimbursable. $15 million being charged to flood control,
<br />and the balance fish and wildlife conservation benefits.
<br />The remainder would be reimbursable in 50 years from
<br />irrigation, municipa[ and industrial water users and hy'
<br />droelectric power sales.
<br />
<br />WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT PLANNED
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<br />Tentative plans of operatior, call for the formation of
<br />a water conservancy district under Colorado laws, which
<br />would contract with the government for payment of the
<br />charges for project services performed in connection with
<br />the storage, regulation an,d release of water.
<br />The water to be imported from the Colorado river
<br />watershed is to come out of Colorado's apportionment
<br />under the upper Colorado river basin cOmpact of October
<br />II, 1948, and there is ,sufficient water supply for the
<br />project. .
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<br />ECONOMIC BENEFITS
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<br />Introduction of transmountain water, together with
<br />the conservation of present water supplies to be made
<br />possible by the project would have a stabilizing effect up-
<br />On the ,agricultural production of the Arkansas valley.
<br />The total supply of "new" and regulated water available
<br />would be 184,000 acre-feet.
<br />The markets for ihe products of the area are nation,
<br />wide, beet sugar, cantaloupes, onions, flower seeds, celery
<br />and alfalfa meal being particularly important in national
<br />trade. The industrialization of Pueblo, Colorado Springs,
<br />and Denver, together with the increasing tourist trade in
<br />the Rocky Mountain area, furnish an expanding market
<br />for the irrigated farm products.
<br />Increased . local purchases and sales in towns and
<br />communities in the project area would improve and sta'
<br />bilize the general' economic conditions in the area. New
<br />industrial developments and increased production at
<br />existing manufacturing pInnts would be stimulated. Live-
<br />stcick output of the region would be greatly enhanced
<br />because of increased feed supplies stemming from project
<br />development.
<br />Increased returns to state and local taxing institu-
<br />tions and enhancement of federal income tax receirts
<br />would arise from project .benefits. The ~vailability 0 a
<br />large block of hydroelectrIC power and hlgh'quahty, ade'
<br />quate municipal and industrial water supplies would
<br />stimulate industry and, like expanded irrigation, would
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