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-8- According to information received, it appears that the construction work, now underway on the Fire Mountain Canal, will be completed early this fall and that there will be a substantial balance, approximately ~600,000, of money ap- propriated for this project, remaining unexpended. This money could be used to start construction of other features, such as the reservoir, of the Paonia Project, provided reauthorization is secured in the present session of Congress. If such reauthorization is not obtained at this time, construction would have to cease until reauthorization takes place during the next session of Congress. It has been suggested that reauthorization may be obtained early in the next session in time to obtain additional appropriations of money for fiscal 1952, but in that event there would be a cessation of construction activities pending reauthorization. 8a. Transmission Lines in Vicinity of Estes Park. The citizens of Estes Park, acting through their Chamber of Commerce and other groups, protested the overhead power transmission lines on the Colorado-Big Thompson Project in the vicinity of Estes Park. Such protests were made to the Bureau of Reclama- tion and communicated to Colorado Senators and Congressmen. As a result of such protests, a hearing was held by the Bureau of Reclamation of Estes Park on the 20th day of April 1950. The Director participated in this hearing. Among other things, the Estes Park citizens urged that overhead trans- mission lines were unsightly, destroyed the scenic beauty and tended to destroy recreational advantages in the area. They also contended that such lines are a threat to life and property. They requested that the plans for such transmission lines be changed so as to place the lines underground. The Bureau of Reclamation investigated the costs of such a change and found that it would involve an additional cost of approxim'ltely .Ji;800,ooO, In addition, it was explained by the Bureau that such change would necessitate can- cellation of contracts with contractors who are now engaged in constructing the lines, Such a cancellation would involve further costs. At the hearing held in Estes Park, the Northern Colorado Water Conser- vancy District, the State R.E.A. Organization and a number of R.E.A. Cooperatives which will be served with power from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, opposed the request of the Estes Park people. It was pointed out by them that an in- creased cost which might reach one million dollars would place an unnecessary and increased burden on the water and power users under the project. It was also explained that the authorization by Congress of the construction of the lines, in the absence of specific legislative language to the contrary, involved con- struction in accordance with the usual and customary manner; and that there is no legislative authori ty to bury these lines, with the addi tionp,l expense in- volved, and change the cost thereof as a nonreimbursable in the interest of',_ recreational values. The testimony submitted at this hearing, both for and against the pro- posed change in construction, was reduced to 1~iting and is being considered by the Bureau of Reclamation. No decision has been made to date, but the construc- tion of the overhead lines under existing contracts is proceeding. If any member of the Board desires to read the record of the.~he.arin"', ~ i'. TC'0U this matter, it is available in the office of the Board. ~. ,.t..