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<br />(,.. : ,r', 7' <br />..., - - '- <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />in turn can be used to generate hydroelectric power. None of the <br /> <br />competing applicants can claim the use of this water because they have no <br /> <br />control uver the schedule and quantity of releases from the Ridgway Dam. <br /> <br />2. The Bureau of Reclamation has stated in meetings held with the <br /> <br /> <br />Applicants that the operation of the proposed project will not be allowed <br /> <br />to interfere with the present irrigation project. The UVWUA, which wi II <br />operate the proposed hydropower project and has operated the i rri gat i on <br /> <br />project since 1932, is in a unique position regarding the Bureau's <br /> <br />statement. <br /> <br />Because of its historic involvement with the irrigation <br /> <br />facilities, and because its primary objective is to supply water for <br /> <br />irrigation use to its members and stockholders, it has the requisite <br /> <br />knowledge needed to assure that the irrigation demands are met while also <br />providing water supplies to the hydropower facility., <br />This knowledge includes the channel and headgate capacities and <br /> <br />operational characteristics of over 880 miles of canals, laterals, and <br /> <br />drains which are included in the irrigation system. It also includes the <br /> <br />abilities to operate and maintain the Gunnison Tunnel and Diversion Dam, <br /> <br />as well as seven other diversion structures located within the irrigation <br /> <br />system. To operate such an extensive irrigation system in conjunction <br /> <br />with a large hydropower project requires an ability to make instantaneous <br /> <br />decisions regarding the directions the flow of water must take. None of <br />the competing app1 icants for these water resources have demonstrated <br /> <br />either the knowledge of the irrigation system nor the desire to operate <br /> <br />their respective hydropower projects in a manner which will be beneficial <br /> <br />to or even compatible with the irrigation aspects of the project. This <br />fact is demonstrated by the competing applicants insistence upon <br /> <br />15-9 <br />