Number: 1979-22
WHEREAS, the U.S. District Court trial on the Grayrocks Dam and Laramie River Power Project and the Nebraska Water Resources Department hearings on the proposed diversion of Platte River water to the Little Blue River Basin have focused unprecedented attention on proposed water resources development in the Platte River System; and
WHEREAS, testimony from expert witnesses on the complex issues involved in both cases has been widely publicized and has shown that the cumulative impacts of such developments, which have been largely ignored, are likely to destroy the internationally significant migratory bird habitat resources located in the Big Bend area of the Platte River; and
WHEREAS, decisions must be made on such issues as established water allocations, interstate compacts, future water needs of the entire Platte River Basin, fish and wildlife habitat needs, and protection of instream flow values; and
WHEREAS, the June, 1976, final report of the Platte River Basin Level B Study identified many potential planning elements and made specific recommendations for implementing the foregoing goals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 22-25, 1979, in Toronto, Ontario, hereby urges the Missouri River Basin Commission to expeditiously complete the ongoing comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of water resources developments in the Platte River Basin so that the water supply needs of all water uses, including instream flow requirements for fish and wildlife, can be quantified and guaranteed.