Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />055G <br /> <br />The construction of this project has been caught up in continuing <br />and long standing delays. At the time the project was authorized, it <br />was represented to Congress that all preconstruction planning could be <br />completed in three years. Eleven years have now elapsed. However, at <br />long last the definite plan report and environmental impact statement <br />have been completed at the field level, and are now awaiting the <br />seemingly endless review which is currently a characteristic of all <br />federal activities. <br /> <br />Valuable time could be gained by continuing the project in an <br />advance planning status during FY 1980. Activities such as archaeo- <br />logical investigations, repayment negotiations and miscellaneous pre- <br />construction requirements could and should be accomplished during the <br />coming year. We are advised that the Bureau of Reclamation has a <br />capability to expend $450,000 for these purposes. The State of Colorado <br />joins with the State of New Mexico in requesting an appropriation in <br />that amount. <br /> <br />The genesis for this project was 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 />Our remaining request relates to the Narrows project and is somewhat <br />unusual. We urge for your consideration two alternative methods of <br />funding this project for both of which we offer the potential of state <br />financial participation, as hereinafter will be described. <br /> <br />The Narrows project was originally authorized by the Congress in <br />1944, as a part of the comprehensive plan for the Missouri River Basin <br />Project. Because of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and other <br />pressures and events, construction of the project was delayed to a <br />point where it was necessary to prepare a new feasibility report. As a <br />result of the new report, the project was re-authorized by Congress in <br />1970. <br /> <br />The definite plan report has been completed and repayment contracts <br /> <br />-2-' <br />