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<br />3. Arkansas Headwaters is another recreation initiative of interest to DNR. CWCB <br />has not had a role in this. As I understand it: <br />o Fed's providing access along Arkansas River above Royal Gorge (BLM). <br />o Fed's working on heavy metals problems <br />o Fed's and state working on summer flow regime using Twin Lakes releases <br />to Pueblo Reservoir to achieve optimum flows <br />o Substantial lack of agreement on what optimum flows should be <br />- rafters want high flows to extend season <br />_ fishers want lower flows for better habitat and wadeability . <br />_ Trout Unlimited brought suit over flows proposed for summer '91 <br /> <br />C. Water Quality <br /> <br />1. Two primary sources of pollution <br />o upstream, heavy metals from mine drainage <br />o downstream, salinity, selenium, and some nitrates from irrigation return flows <br /> <br />2. Quality problems effect <br />o municipal water supplies: <br />La Junta and Las Animas wells, show selenium <br />o agricultural uses: <br />Salinity over 1000 ppm effect crop yields <br />o recreation uses: <br />off channel reservoirs with high evaporation have high IDS concentrations <br />o Wildlife, fishery, endangered species selenium could reach toxic levels, <br />particularly in bottom sediments and bio-accumulate, may harm predators <br />higher in food chain <br /> <br />D. Agricultural conversion and dry,up of irrigated acres <br /> <br />o effect on regional economy <br />- tax base <br />- ag related businesses <br /> <br />15 <br />