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<br />1812 <br /> <br />Instead, the water bank would avoid these severe consequences of water transfer--permanent loss <br />of agricultural water and Iand--and would transfer a more acceptable amount of water through lease <br />to higher valued uses within the Lower Arkansas Valley. By use of the market system and by relying <br />on annual leases of water by willing shareholders, the water bank would minimize the social conflict <br />that now accompanies the prospects of major water sales outside the Valley, or leases of major <br />quantities of agricultural water to non..agricuIturaI uses. There is widespread support for keeping <br />agricultural water within the Valley, and in maintaining a healthy agricultural economy. Yet, <br />paradoxically, many if not most Valley residents support the property right of water rights holders <br />to sell their water with few if any restrictions (except for canal company by-laws) even if such sales <br />cause harm to their neighbors and their local economy. <br /> <br />A water bank would not interfere with the present property rights of water shareholders. The water <br />bank could provide economic incentives that encourage shareholders to lease water on a temporary <br />(annual) basis, retain ownership of the water, and maintain a viable irrigated agriculture enterprise <br />in the Ft. Lyon system, <br /> <br />The water bank leases might provide income to participating shareholders of about $443,000 in <br />normal years and about $1,100,000 during dry years, if 7,384 af C.U. were leased at the estimated <br />prices, This would provide about 5,000 af C.U. water to be rented for higher-valued uses to <br />municipalities and industry in average years (Section 7.8). <br /> <br />It is difficult to estimate the number of jobs that will be created from the new industrial or <br />agribusiness (e.g" feed lot) enterprises that could be attracted to the Valley with the aid of an <br />assured water supply provided through the water bank. It is necessary to know the types and sizes <br />of such future enterprises. Economic development is addressed in Section 6.11 of Chapter 6. There <br />is general agreement within the Valley that new enterprises are badly needed to diversify the <br />economy and to provide year-round employment, to complement the heavy reliance on agriculture. <br /> <br />In summary, the water bank alternative could provide water to higher-valued uses including higher <br />valued agriculture, help attract industry and help augment the water available in municipal water <br />systems. The income from leasing (or selling) water for such uses could provide additional income <br />to Ft. Lyon shareholders but would not threaten the continued viability of irrigated agriculture in the <br />Valley. This outcome would help to reduce the conflict and tension between those who wish to <br />maintain a healthy agricultural economy and keep the water in the VaHey, and those who wish to <br />receive a higher return by selling or \easing water for other uses, A water bank could help to achieve <br />both goals. <br /> <br />7.4 Lel!aI Issues and Alternative Deliverv Mechanisms <br /> <br />Legal Issues and Obstacles <br /> <br />Alternative delivery scenarios are based upon the use of various headgates, ditches, storage <br />reservoirs, consistent with current Colorado law, From a legal standpoint, development of a water <br />bank involves: <br /> <br />7-7 <br />