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<br />~.. ,- "-"'___.--".', .--"""".__="""",-",'"""",, ...,;;,;.:~~~.',;":'I'.,~...T:M<.\<-~~;""'..:.-<..,C:-f:,tcl_::,;-;:<-'- > <br /> <br />- 4 - <br /> <br />, CO <br />C\J <br />00 <br /> <br />With respect to the cumulative aspects of water reclamation projects in <br />Colorado, the Planning Coordinating Counci I recognizes the need for a cumulative <br />assessment. Issues such as the cumulative impact of sal inity, IoJildl ife habitat <br />loss and. socio-economic impae-ts must be understood and amel iorated to the <br />greatest extent possible. Therefore,. the PCC urges that the Department of Natural <br />Resources work with the Bureau of Reclamation to devise mechanisms to better <br />understand the cumulative impacts of the reclamation projects and to provide <br />mechanisms to ameliorate these impacts. Specifically, the PCC recommends that <br />the final Envi ronmental Statement for the Savery-Pot Hook Project. as well as <br />the Dolores Project, uti I ize a chapter in each to deal with the cumulative aspect <br />of the. four projects (Fruitland Mesa, Dallas Creek, Dolores and Savery-Pot Hook) <br />that have already acquired funding. Additionally, the PCC acknowledges that the <br />question of jeopardy is ~f lesser importance to the three Colorado River projects <br />that have not yet been funded by theU. S. Congress. Given this logical break <br />between the four projects that have been funded and have received the attention <br />of an Environmental Impact Statement and the three that have not wi tnessed these <br />milestones, the PCC recommends that the Department of Natural Resources work <br />with the Bureau to construct a mechanism that would allow for an evaluation of <br />the cumulative impacts of these water reclamation projects. <br /> <br />Agricultural Pol icies and Considerations <br /> <br />The Savery-Pot Hook Project is a water reclamation project designed to <br />enhance agricultural development in northwest Colorado. This being the case, <br />the PCC. found it appropriate to address such policies as the nature and extent <br />of this Project's benefit to the region's agricultural economy, the priority <br />of agricultural water as it relates to water for industrial and municipal <br />purposes, as wel I as the abil ity to retain the agricultural dedication of this <br />Project for. the years to come. <br /> <br />The PCC found that the Savery-Pot Hook Project would stabi I ize and increase <br />agriculture production in northwest ColoradO. The influence of expanded irrigation <br />capacity in that region of the State will not only provide an improved agricultural <br />economy,.but perhaps more importantly, will provide a healthy diversification of <br />.the region's economy in relation to the influences of increased energy and <br />recreational development. The secondary benefits to the cattle industry in that <br />... <br />region of the State were also noted by the PCC. <br /> <br />'i <br /> <br />The Council spent much time dtscussing the relative merit of water for <br />agricult,ural purposes as that related to potential industrial USe of water in <br />the Colorado River system. Given that an increased and stabilized agricultural <br />economy Is of great importance to western Colorado as well as to the entire State, <br />the PCC found that the availability of water for irrigation was pivotal and <br />should be supported by state and federal government. The Council concluded in <br />its investigation that over time, the State of Colorado will utilize all of the <br /> <br />L <br />