A statement of policy on water development programs

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STATEMENT OF :'OLICY) on

WATER DEVELOPlViENT F.ROGRAMS by the

COLORADO GAME AND FISH COMl\'TlSSION Ja:.uary 25, 1957

1. The Colorado Game and Fish Commission recognizes the urgent necessity of full development and utilization of Colorado's wate!' resources.

2. In the light of the great and growing demands upon Colorado's resources, the Commission believes it absolutely imperative that the principle of multiple use of water - use for all legitimate purposes - be accepted and practiced by all agencies responsible for determining the State's water development programs.

3. The policy of the Commission toward development of the water resource is in accord with the principle of multiple use, and is also made in consideration of these facts:

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A. The fish and wildlife resource is the property of the people of the State.

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B. The fish and wildlife resource supports an industry conservatively esti-mated at $75 million annually, being a contributing factor in our tourist industry.

C. The fish and wildlife resour<::e provides healthful outdoor recreation for over 400, 000 licensed sportsmen annually, plus those tens of thousands of young people not required to be licensed.

D. The fish and wildlife resource will increase greatly in value as advancing technology increases the amount of leisure time available to our citizens and visitors; and the demands upon the resource will increase in proportion. E. We encourage the efforts to develop the State's water resource, but recognize such developments as having a direct and material effect on the economic and recreation value of another great natural resource -fish and wildlife.

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F. The Commission is the official agency of the State charged with the responsibility of conserving and extending the fish and wildlife resource. 4. In the light of the direct and inevitable effect of water development on fish and wildlife, the Commission believes that the fish and wildlife resource should receive full consideration throughout the planning, construction and operation of all water development projects; and it further believes that such condideration should be assured by appropriate means established by the Governor of the State.

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5. vVhen any water development project, public or private, is proposed, the Commission will authorize the Colorado Game and Fish Department to determine the effects of the project on the fish and wildlife resource; and will make significant findings known to the general public as an integral part of discharging its statutory

obligation of conserving and extending the resource.

6. The results of such findings should be accepted as the professional evaluation of effects of water development projects on fi.8h and wildlife; and in the case of projects proposed by any State or Federal agency, should be incorporated into any official statements appraising the merits of such projects.

7. Where investigations by responsible water development agencies determine that two or more alternate projects are available to accomplish a single purpose, the Commission believes that the alternate least harmful to existing resource values, including fish and wildlife, should be considered.

8. Under the authority of applicable State and/or Federal statutes, the Commission shall insist that any damage to the fish and wildlife resources as a result of any public or private water project be replaced or compensated for at the expense o~ the responsible agency or individual.

9. When, after full consideration of all resources affected, any water project is ultimately determined as in the public iqterest, the Commission pledges its support of that decision as the policy of the State.