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<br /> <br />00182 <br /> <br />. "..;- <br /> <br />"""'~l1',ijl\",,< <br /> <br />~ <br />'~' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />-- <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENT <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />@l <br /> <br />The people .wl::to -live in the scenic mountain va~leys of Colorado West <br />cannot vote in this ele.ctien even though they are profoundly affected by it. They <br />must rely on the wisdom of th.e citizens of Denver in recognizing the magnitude <br />of their decision as they v_ote to accept or reject the destruction of such free- <br />flowing streams as the beautiful Piney River, one of the few remaining wild <br />riV'er~ left in Colorado~_ This decision will have far-reaching impacts on the <br />region, the state and future generations. <br /> <br />SALINITY <br /> <br />Urgently J:l.eeded water development projects in Colorado West which have <br />been.authorized for construction by the Congress of the United States since 1964 <br />are being delayed because of 'the salinity problem on....the Coloraq.o River. The <br />diversion-of lOa, 000 acre feet of high-quality water off the top of our mountain <br />watersheds would have an estimated effect equal to the addition of 80. 000 tons <br />of salt_ annually to :the .Color~-do River, and would increase the salinity content <br />at the Gisco gauge by 14 part"s per million. This is not only a regional and state <br />concern. but.a -national and -international concern. <br /> <br />COMPACTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br />The economic development of Colorado West is inextricably linked to the <br />availability of sufficient water supplies to support an oil shale industry, ex- <br />panded food and fiber production and anticipated domestic and recreational needs. <br />. The availability of water to support 'such development is limited by the require- <br />ments of interstate and international compacts, and these compacts are a state <br />obligation. The taking of more water out of the Colorado River system to generate <br />additional Front Range growth directly affects the capability of the State of Colo- <br />rado to me-et its compact commitments, and limits the capability of Colorado <br />West to develop its -resources. <br /> <br />Regional and State Concerns <br /> <br />"Noteworthy Quotations" <br /> <br />;-.........7--".,.,:... .("_,-;' .;' .~.'.;r _. ,v _.~~:,;>;r.....:<<-"",,_;~_ .",-,.: _-.,.'_',e, <br />