OCR Text |
Show Conclusions (1) Indian lands and water rights constitute a material factor in basin plans. Definite plans for completing these Indian projects should be drafted so that they may be reconciled with other proposals and become part of integrated plans. New studies will be required. Need for this planning is urgent (a) to provide for the growing Indian population; (b) to allow for needed reductions in grazing in- tensity; (c) to assure protection of Indian water rights; and (d) to provide other agencies and a river basin commission with accurate data as to the further development and use of water by Indians. (2) A restudy of existing Indian projects, with emphasis on the need and feasibility of their expan- sion, together with a study of potential new Indian projects within the basin, should be made. These studies should include a determination of the ade- quacy of the water supply; the suitability of the lands for irrigated agriculture; designs and cost esti- mates ; and the economic feasibility of the proposed developments. (3) As the guardian of the Indians the Federal Government should, after a complete study and analysis of the irrigation possibilities, perfect any necessary water rights so that the States can plan adequately the utilization of the remaining waters apportioned to them. The plans for irrigation of Indian lands may have a material effect on the States' plans for using their water on other lands. (4) Plans should be made for completing feasible Indian projects at a reasonably early date. 7. Recreational Land Policies The Problem Protection of recreation values in the region, and full beneficial use of recreation opportunities in basin water use. The Situation People from the lower basin oases seek refuge from the long hot summer, and in so doing, com- pete with those from outside the basin, who pour across the crest of the Rockies to the cool western slope, seeking relief from the Plains. And they also meet in their own areas tourists en route east or west, who come to see the basin's wonders-its spec- tacular wildness, its vastness, and its gorgeous colors. They must also compete with the sportsmen from far away places who are attracted by big game, game birds, and fishing. Pressure for recreation from within and without the basin is creating many problems: of facilities, of fish and game, and of land use. Already the 28 national forests of the basin are visited by 3 million people annually; an increment of 50 percent is ex- pected in 10 years and of 100 percent in 20. Some 250,000 hunting and fishing licenses are issued an- nually in Arizona and New Mexico, of which per- haps 10 percent are from outside the basin. Over 76,000 hunters and 150,000 fishermen annually visit the western slope of Colorado, spending for license fees something over 1 million dollars. In 1949, about 29,000 hunters and 90,000 fishermen were recorded in Utah and Wyoming forest areas within the basin. Some 105,000 people camped in these national forests, nearly 30,000 visited resorts and hotels, and almost 160,000 picnicked during week ends. Winter use, at present only about 10 or 15 percent of summer use, is climbing in popularity. This pressure is overtaxing many of the available mountain facilities. Sanitation problems are in- creasing. Mountain waters are being contami- nated as people seek places away from prepared sites. Fishing is declining as sediments and pollu- tion are impoverishing or ruining the habitat and as increasing thousands seek out each tiny stream or hidden lake. The pressures and troubles are most acute on the public lands as private individuals increasingly are posting many of the private lands against trespass. As many private lands control water or prevent public access to public land, the area readily avail- able for public use shrinks. There is also a general interest in organizational camps, and a demand for special privileges for resorts and comparable restricted use. In consequence, recreational uses of the moun- tain public lands are becoming more and more dominant, conflicting with other uses of forest and related lands, and creating difficulties thereby. Stockmen bitterly complain when campers cut fences, leave gates open, shoot livestock, camp at waterholes and stock tanks, and otherwise interfere with range use. Recreationists in turn complain that desirable sites are desecrated by livestock. Some dude ranchers have illegally diverted the public from treasured beauty spots on public lands by signs, blocked roads, or other barriers. Conflicts also appear between livestock and game, particularly deer and elk. Excessive concentra- 437 |