WSP04274 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

GUNNISON COUNTRY TIMES, GUNNISON, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 20, 1976 SHEet lof 3 West Elk Wilderness to be affected Is Fruit~and Mesa just another pork barrel project~ By DON FROST The Bureau of Reclamation's proposed Fruitland Mesa Project, which would entail the construction of a fluc- tuating reservoir on Soap Creek in Gunnison County, has been described as everything from a worthwhile irrigation project, to a detriment to wildlife, to a pork barrel program. The public, Oct. 7, will have its chance to voice opinions on the project when a' public hearing on the project's Draft Environmental Statement(DES) is held from 2 to 9 p.m. in the Crawford School Gymnasium at Crawford. Meanwhile, one fact remains clear. As the DES points out, "Significant beneficial, as well as adverse, en- , vironmental,impacts would be expected to result from the project. .. According to the DES, the pirmary beneficial impacts would come from increasing irrigation supplies a!1d im- proving the economic slabtiity of agriculture in the area. Reservoircbased recreation, inclUding increased fish. availability, would be developed. , "The main adverse impacts would be related to fish and wildlife habitat losses through inundation, reduced stream- flows, and loss of terrestrial wildlife habitat to irrigated farminp;. " THE PRINCIPAL FEATURE of the project would be the 584-surface acre reservoir on Soap Creek. An aqueduct would convey water from this reservoir to project lands south of Crawford. Construction of the projecl is scheduled to begin in early 1977. According to the DES, the purpose and need for the project is to supply an aqueduct and dependable sup- plemental irrigation supply for the Fruitland Mesa Project lands. The lands now are not adequately irrigated with direct diversions from Crystal and Iron Creeks, according to the DES. . In addition to irrigating the 6,310 acres of land now irrigated, an additional 11,940 acres of land would be irrigated. The agricultural yield would be increased on 18,250 acres of land. An increased level of annual gross farm income would' rc;sult soon after delivery of project water, 'the en, vlronmental statement says, although it would be from 15 to ~O years before the full agriculturalpoteniial of rhe project would be realized. It is expecled that gross farm in- come would ultimately be increased by $2.8 million an- nually. . The project was authorized for constructi'1n in 19&1'un- der the Col.orado River Storage Project, and is $ponsored b~ the FrUitland Mesa Water Conservancy Dislrict. who Will repay the !3ureauof Reclamation for reimbursable project costs and for project construction and operalion. (Turn to Page 4)