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<br />. <br /> <br />5408 <br /> <br />CHAPTER VII <br /> <br />THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL, SHORT TERM <br />USES OF THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT AIID THE <br />MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT Of LONG TElUl <br />PRODUCTIVITY <br /> <br />Construction is a short term activity that commits numerous resources <br />to Project features. Operation of the project will ~esult in Doth <br />short and long te~m gains and losses in productivity and resource <br />availability. These are relative to the life of the project Rnd fn <br />some cases beyond. The consumptive use of nonrenewable resources <br />precludes any alternative use of such resources. The project has <br />made such a resource commitment in order to enhance the long term <br />availability of water, a renewable resource, primarily for ~unicipal <br />and industrial uses. This discussion will focus on these llses of <br />renewable and nonrenewable resources. <br /> <br />1. Short Term Commitment of Resources <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Short term commitments are, for the most part, associated pith the <br />construction phase of the p~oject. Manpower and the contractors' <br />equipment are committed for the.duration of the contract. During <br />this period there is a degradation of local air quality due to <br />exhaust emissions and dust raised by construction ~quipment and <br />materials processing. There will also be consumptive and noncon- <br />sumptive uses of water. Water used in dust suppression falls into <br />both categories, since any that evaporates is no longer Rvailable <br />while any that runs off or seeps into the ground will return to the <br />stream and be available for downstream use. <br /> <br />Among other short term resource commitments will be minor losses of <br />fishing activity during conp~~uctiou-of-the-Ar.kansas-River-crossing. <br />There wiTr-be concurrent sedimentation of the river. Similarly, sedi- <br />mentation will occur in Fountain Creek. <br /> <br />2. Short Term Gains in Productivity <br /> <br />Construction of the Fountain Valley Conduit will he carried out hy <br />independent contractors. An estimated 100 skilled, semi-skilled <br />and laborer type construction personnel will be used. The effect <br />of these construction workers and their families on local economies <br />and social structures will probably be largely unnoticed since <br />the localities involved can readily provide these construction <br />personnel. (Pueblo estimated 1970 population 97,453; Colorado <br />Springs estimated 1970 population 135,000.) <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />Vll-l <br />