WSP05699

• File Number: 8443.200
• Description: Narrows Unit - Mailing Lists and Correspondence
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 11/3/1975
• Author: unknown
• Title: Narrows Project - Supplemental Information
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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~ARROWS PROJECT - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
296.)

THE FOREGOING NEWS RELEASE WAS BASED UPON A DETAILED ANALYSIS
OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE NARROWS PROJECT PREPARED JOINTLY BY THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE
tEAD AGENCY OF THAT DEPARTMENT IN THIS MATTER, THE COLORADO WATER CON-
SERVATION BOARD. THAT ANALYSIS IS AS FOLLOWS:

UNDER DATE OF NOVEMBER 3, 1975, A GROUP OF CONCERNED MORGAN
COUNTY RESIDENTS UNDER THE DESCRIPTION OF "REGIONAL LANDOWNERS GROUP"
FILED A WRITTEN MEMORANDUM ON THE NARROWS PROJECT WITH THE COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, COPIES OF WHICH WERE SENT TO THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND TO OTHER AGENCIES AND INDI-
VIDUALS. THE EXPRESSED PURPOSE OF THE MEMORANDUM WAS "TO CALL ATTENTION
TO DISCREPANCIES AND DEBATABLE ALLEGATIONS OF PROPONENTS OF A DAM LOCATED
AT THE NARROWS SITE ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AND TO OUTLINE THE TOTAL
NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE NARROWS PROJECT ON NORTHEASTERN COLORADO."

AFTER SETTING PORTH IN SOME DETAIL VARIOUS REASONS FOR
OPPOSING THE NARROWS PROJECT, THE MEMORANDUM CONCLUDED WITH THE FOLLOWING
STATEMENT: "IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE FACTS, WE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
REGIONAL LANDOWNERS GROUP FORMALLY REQUEST THAT THE STATE OF COLORADO
AND THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD CEASE TO ENUORSE CONSTRUCTION
OF A DAM AT TilE NARROWS S ITF. AND THAT EFfORTS BE ~IADE TO ceNSTRUCT A DAM
OR DAMS AT ELEVATIONS THAT WILL PROVIDE FLOOD PROTECTION TO ALL OF THE
SOUTH PLATTE BASIN, POTABLE WATER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS, AND ADDITIONAL
IRRIGATION WATER TO THOSE SYSTEMS ~HERE THE NEED EXISTS."

THERE IS NOW PENDING FOR OFFICIAL COMMENT BY THE STATE OF COLO-
RADO A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE NARROWS PROJECT.
UNTIL THIS STATEMENT IS COMPLETED AND FILED IN ACCORDANCE ~ITH FEDERAL
LAW, CONSTRUCTION ON THE NARROWS PROJECT CANNOT BE UN~ERTAKEN, ALTHOUGH
CONGRESS HAS ALREADY APPROPRIATED FUNDS TO INITIATE CONSTRUCTION. IN VIEW
OF THE URGENT REQUEST OF THE REGIONAL LANDOWNERS GROUP, TilE STATE'S COM-
MENTS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT HAVE BEEN DELAYED AT THE
GOVERNOR'S DlRECTI0N PENDING A REVlEW OF THE ALLEGATIONS SeT FORTH IN THE
REGIONAL LANDOWNERS' MEMORANDUM. THIS REVIEW HAS NOW BEeN COMPLETED AND
CONSTITUTES THE BASIS FOR GOVERNOR LAMM'S COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ENVIRON-
MENTAL STATEMENT, A COpy OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO. THE BASIS OF THE
GOVERNOR'S ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SET FORTH IN SOME DETAIL AS
FOLLOWS:

THE SOllTH PLATTE VALLEY BELO\\' DENVER IS ONE OF THE LEADING
AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES. IT IS AN AREA WHICH DEPENDS
ALMOST ENTIRELY UPON IRRIGATION FOR CROP PRODUCTION. SHORTAGES OF WATER.
SUPPLIES OFTEN REDUCE CROP YIELDS AND CREATE UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
NO MAJOR CHANNEL RESERVOIR STORAGE EXISTS ON THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER IN
COLORADO. DURING THE PERIOD 1950-1970, THE AVERAGE LOSS' OF WATER THROUGH
LACK OF RESERVOIR STORAGE WAS 304.000 FEET ANNUALLY. IN 1970 ALONE, ALMOST
800 000 ACRE-FEET OF FLOODWATER WAS LOST. THE STATE OF COLORADO CAN ILL-
,
AFFORD THE LOSS OF SHCH A VALUABLE NATURAL ASSET. THE MONETARY BENEFITS
ALONE FROM THE AUTHORIZED NARROWS PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED $8.000,000
ANNUALLY.