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GR WTH O ON THE COCONINO PLATEAU Potential Impacts of a Water Pipeline for the Region march 2001 On the Cover: FLAGSTAFF’S “NEW TOWN” CIRCA 1881 When the railroad bypassed Flagstaff’s original town site, a new business district was constructed along the tracks. GR WTH O ON THE COCONINO PLATEAU Potential Impacts of a Water Pipeline for the Region march 2001 Rick Heffernon Principal Investigator and Senior Research Analyst Morrison Institute for Public Policy Mark Muro Senior Research Analyst Morrison Institute for Public Policy with Assistance from Rob Melnick, Director, Morrison Institute for Public Policy Christina Kinnear, Graduate Research Associate, Morrison Institute for Public Policy Special Contribution by John Kent Hill Timothy D. Hogan Tom R. Rex Center for Business Research, Arizona State University Copyright ©2001 by the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University and its Morrison Institute for Public Policy. BITTER SPRINGS OVERLOOK The Navajo community of Bitter Springs, located at the base of Echo Cliffs, would be one of the beneficiaries of a regional pipeline proposed for north-central Arizona. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary . 7 Introduction . 11 Purpose of Study. 11 Study Area . 11 Role of Research in Regional Water Planning. 11 Features of the Pipeline Proposal . 12 Research Methods and Activities. 12 Resources and Expectations: Views of Stakeholders. 15 Key Observations . 16 Water Resources and Needs. 16 Population Effects of Pipeline . 18 Land Uses and Development . 18 Regional Infrastructure . 19 Policies Regarding Growth, Infrastructure, and Water Management . 20 A Development Wildcard: State Trust Lands . 21 Critical Issues . 21 History . 21 Dynamics . 22 Impacts. 22 Protection . 22 Bottom Line . 23 Water and Growth in Western States: Four Case Studies . 25 Lessons Learned . 25 Selection of Case Study Projects. 25 Selection Criteria. 25 Projects. 25 Canadian River Project . 26 Background and Development. 26 Growth-Related Impacts . 26 Summary of Canadian River Effects . 27 Gillette-Madison Water Project . 28 Background and Development. 28 Growth-Related Impacts . 28 Summary of Gillette-Madison Effects . 29 Quail Creek Reservoir and Pipeline . 30 Background and Development. 30 Growth-Related Impacts . 30 Summary of Quail Creek Effects . 31 Lower Gunnison Basin Unit Winter Stock Water Replacement Program . 32 Background and Development. 32 Growth-Related Impacts . 32 Summary of Lower Gunnison Effects. 33 Table of Contents 5 Population on the Coconino Plateau: A Demographic Analysis . 35 Key Points . 35 Demographic Profile of Coconino County . 35 Subregions of the Coconino Plateau Study Area . 36 Growth Determinants . 36 Conclusions . 38 Growth Management: How the Region Plans . 39 Key Characteristics and Analysis . 39 Analysis of Growth Management Criteria . 39 Conclusions . 42 A Statewide Approach: Growing Smarter Legislation . 43 Main Impacts . ..