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Show PART VI FRAMEWORK PLAN AND ALTERNATIVES It should be noted that these studies were made to demonstrate cer- tain levels of water resource development and that these studies shall not prejudice the position of either the Upper or Lower Basin interests with respect to required deliveries at Lee Ferry pursuant to the Colorado River Compact. In particular, the depletions are site-located and do not necessarily reflect direct relationships to streamflow diminishment at Lee Ferry, Arizona. Purpose and Summary of Framework Plan The framework plan "broadly outlines development of the region's wa- ter and related land resources to meet the regionally interpreted OBERS projections. Most project developments and structures have not "been site- located. Further engineering, economic, and environmental analyses will be required in detailed planning for the individual segments. Estimates of costs and general adequacy of plans are discussed. Water depletions will increase to 6.55 million acre-feet by 2020 while all of the region's land resources will receive continued and more intensive use. Local water needs for municipal and industrial uses (excluding power, minerals, and agriculture) will remain small when compared to total water requirements. Future recreation, sport fishing, and hunting demand by residents and nonresidents will require a continuation and extension of present programs and management practices. Projected total gross output for agricultural products to meet de- mands and needs would more than double for most subregions and sectors of production. Livestock and livestock products and food and field crops are the major sectors. Production on existing irrigated cropland would increase and 500,000 acres of additional irrigated land would be brought into production. Output of timber products is projected to 3^-0 million cubic feet due largely to demands from outside the basin. Transmountain diversions from the region would triple to about 1.6 million acre-feet to meet a portion of the demands for municipal, indus- trial, and irrigation water in adjacent regions. Outflow to the Lower Colorado Region would continue as required by the Colorado River Compact. Watershed management programs including land treatment; water con- trol structures, and applied water management practices would reduce ero- sion, flood, and sediment damage by about 30 to 60 percent and would im- prove water yield in terms of quantity and quality. The flood control plan would reduce the estimated annual flood*damage by about $6.7 million by the year 2020 and would eliminate 65 percent of the projected damage. 60 |
