WSP06216

• File Number: 8407.500
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Missouri River
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 5/1/1980
• Author: MRBC
• Title: Missouri River Basin Water Resources Management Plan - Part I - Chapters I-VI
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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a sound basis for formulating and evaluating alternative courses of action. By

evaluating these alternatives comprehensively, the interrelationships between
alternatives and the cumulative effects of their implementation can be assessed
across functional lines. The resulting management plan can then be expected to
recognize and make the tradeoffs necessary to best satisfy the region's needs
and objectives. In the Missouri Basin, its subbasins, and States, much
additional groundwork is needed in order to reach this desirable level of
planning refinement.
Several recommended basinwide and statewide comprehensive planning
programs playa particularly important role in meeting the basin's
comprehensive planning needs. Perhaps the most central program is conducted
under title III of the Water Resources Planning Act of 1965. This program is
listed among the recommended basinwide programs. Title III and its amendments
provide the authority for the Congress to appropriate funds to'the U.S. Water
Resources Council. These funds are in turn passed through to the States for
use in State comprehensive planning and water conservation. Programs already

developed by the States through this authority, shown in the recommended

statewide programs have greatly enhanced State water resources planning and
management.
Another program which will advance comprehensive planning basinwide is the
Missouri River Basin Hydrology study. This study is being conducted by the
Missouri River Basin Commission to prepare a basinwide hydrologic data base to
be used to develop a computerized system for evaluating the hydrologic effects
of water resources management alternatives.
A serious problem affecting most of the Missouri Basin States and many of
their water resources management programs is uncertainty surrounding water

rights associated with Indian and Federal lands. There is no authorized