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<br />-.', - - "'. <br /> <br />O!i:-C! <br />of the ~6&~ervancy district which is the local sponsor of this project, <br />all is ready for construction. <br /> <br />The genesis of this project is the Colorado River Storage Project <br />Act of 1956. By that act, the Animas-La Plata project was designated <br />as a potential participating reclamation project, subject to a finding <br />of feasibility and specific authorization by the Congress. Both of <br />these latter events have occurred. Forty-six percent of the power <br />revenues derived from the Colorado River Storage Project were specifi- <br />cally and exclusively dedicated to Colorado to assist in the repayment <br />of those project features attributable to irrigation. The necessary <br />revenues will accrue to both Colorado and New Mexico during the repay- <br />ment period for the project. If the law is to be followed, these <br />revenues cannot be used for any purpose other than to assist in the <br />repayment of designated Colorado and New Mexico reclamation projects. <br />We simply ask that a portion of these revenues be dedicated to the <br />construction of the Animas-La Plata project as Congress has already <br />specifically directed. <br /> <br />I would also note that the Colorado River Basin Project Act of <br />1968 specifies that: <br /> <br />The Secretary (of the Interior) is . . . to proceed as nearly <br />as practicable with the construction of the Animas-La Plata . <br />(and other) participating Federal reclamation projects concur- <br />rently with the construction of the Central Arizona Project, to <br />the end that such projects shall be completed not later than <br />the date of the first delivery of water from said Central <br />Arizona Project. . .. (Sec. 501(b), P.L. 90-537, 82 Stat. 885). <br /> <br />The Central Arizona Project is scheduled to deliver water commencing <br />in 1985. Obviously, the Congress is obligated to proceed in a timely <br />manner since there will be a three or four year construction period <br />for the project. Failure to appropriate funds for the initiation of <br />construction would be unfortunate since legal problems concerning the <br />first delivery of water from the Central Arizona Project might then <br />arise. <br /> <br />Besides the Animas-La Plate project, the President's budget <br />message made no mention of the previously authorized Fruitland Mesa, <br />Savery-Pot Hook, and Narrows projects in Colorado. These projects are <br />ready for construction. While we totally disagree with the President's <br />reasons for abandoning these projects, it appears fruitless to pursue <br />funding for them under the present circumstances. They most certainly <br />have not been abandoned by the State of Colorado and we will pursue <br />their construction under more favorable conditions. Furthermore, it <br />should be noted that certain of these projects could provide the water <br />which will be required if this nation's synfuels program is to go <br /> <br />-3- <br />