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<br />. ~~_.,__ ."..-----.'c-~~_ _''''-_'''''-''.",C,'''_ .~.-;-~-: ,-:;_::;-,~---.", ~ 6.-.- <br /> <br />2 - <br /> <br />While those policy considerations deal with fundamental issues surrounding <br />this project review, they are fiot meant to be a substitute for the technical <br />analysis of the Draft Environmental Statement which has been provided by state <br />agencies through the Clearinghouse process. <br /> <br />The Savery-Pot Hook Project is an effort to develop water for agricultural <br />use in the little Snake River Valley along the Colorado-Wyoming border. The <br />Project includes two dams and reservoirs, Sandstone and Pot Hook, and two irrigation <br />canals, Dolan Mesa and Pot Hook. The Project will result in the irrigation of. <br />14,670 acres not how served by irrigated water and supplemental irrigation for <br />an additional 14,330 acres. <br /> <br />The Draft Environmental Statement was released on September 27, 1~76, and <br />was made avai lable to the State of Colorado through its Clearinghouse in <br />accordance with A-~5.procedures. This report to the Executive Director of the <br />Department of Natural Resources contains the recommendations of the Planninq <br />Coordinating Council on major pol icy positions with respect to the Savery-Pot <br />Hook Project. They are tendered to the Department as lead aqency to be incorporated <br />into the total Clearinghouse response to the Draft Environmental Statement. <br /> <br />Status of State Pol icy <br /> <br />The Planning Coordinating Council found that there is and has been Ibng- <br />standing executive policy concerning the development of Savery-Pot Hook. In the <br />middle .1940's, the State of Colorado called for and parti.cipated in an extensive <br />inventory of water reclamation potential in Colorado, which resulted in a Bureau <br />of Reclamation study report issued in 1946. It identified the Savery-Pot Hook <br />Project. The State also participated in and supported a feasibi 1 ity study by <br />the Bureau of Reclamation which was issued in July of 1954 on Savery-Pot Hook. <br /> <br />In 1964, the U. S. Congress authorized the Savery-Pot Hook Project, at <br />which time the State of Colorado formally testified in support of the Project. <br />In more recent year~ the Congress has considered actual appropriations for the <br />Savery-Pot Hook Projec~. The Executive Branch of government from the State of <br />Colorado did appear in support of such funding. A number of those appearances <br />.~ included the governors who were serving at t~e time of congressional consideration. <br />In I ight of those actions, the State of Colorado has had a policy in support of <br />the construction of the Savery-Pot Hook Project since 1946. <br /> <br />Therefore, the task before the PCC was to review the major pol icies surrounding <br />the Project and determine whether to disturb existing state policy with respect to <br />Savery-Pot Hook or to allow such policy to stand. <br /> <br />Perspective Embraced in the PCC Review <br /> <br />In review of this Project, the PCC could approach its analysis from a number <br />of perspectives: local, state or national. It is the position of the Council <br />that its most important responsibility is to the people of this State and to the <br />