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Social and Economic Characteristics The Lower Gunnison area was first explored, but not settled, by the Spanish. In 1873, the Ute Indians ceded the upper basin to the federal ~overnment .and settlement started almost immediately. Captain Gunnison explored much of the area in 1881 searchin~ for a feasible railroad route across the Continental Divide. Since 1882, when a railroad and the first irrigation ditches were built in the valley, irri~ation pro~ressed to where there are now 171,000 irri~ated acres in the Lower Gunnison study area. Principal crops include alfalfa hay, ~rass hay, pasture, small grains, corn, and orchard. Principal towns are Montrose and Delta, with s~x smaller communities also located in the area. Due to the nation's need for Delta County's energy resources, that county is expected to ~row in the next ten years at a faster rate than Montrose County. The area has a present year around population of approximately 37,000 people. The study area covers 3,148 square miles having a population density of 12 people per square mile. If present trends continue, the population will increase about 2 percent per year. However, coal gasification activity may significantly increase population growth during the next 10 years. Migration sli~htly Increases the area's population durin~ the summer and fall as vacationing people and hunters visit the area for scenic and recreation attractions, and living in summer homes. No adverse effect on the tourism and hunting (principally big game) is anticipated with irriga- tion improvements. The population largely is white caucasian. In the rural agricultural area, less than 2 percent of the landowners are of Spanish descent. There are no black, oriental nor American Indian land users. 001228 III-IO