WSP09682

• File Number: 8220.127.O
• Description: Savery-Pot Hook Project
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 3/22/1977
• Title: Statement of Felix L. Sparks on the Savery-Pot Hook Project - Grand Junction CO
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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There are others who are casting covetous eyes on the waters

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.of the Little Snake River.

The people of that area are alarmed that

their way of life may be about to disappear. It, is the common goal
of the states of Colorado and Wyoming that this will not occur. Some
four million dollars of the project costs have been assigned to
environmental and recreational considerations. A total of twenty-five

million dollars has been assigned to this purpose for the threeproj-

ects.

To summarize the three projects now under review, they will
provide net benefits to the state of Colorado to the extent of about

fifteen million dollars yearly. They will enhance and preserve vital

agricultural areas of this state and the state of Wyoming. Over six

and one-half million dollars have been expended to date from federal

funds in bringing the projects to a construction status. Another half
million dollars has been expended from state and local funds. It has
already been emphasized repeatedly that all of these projects have
, been carefully scrutinized now for a period of over twenty years.

They have met every test. If new rules are to be devised which brand

these projects as being poorly conceived, we will resist those new
rules with every resource at our command.

After the long years of one interminable delay after
another, the people of these project areas were greatly shocked and
deeply hurt at the hasty decision made by the present administration
to terminate those projects -- a decision which strikes at the very
heart of their economic existence. The people who have supported the

hopes and aspirations of the project beneficiaries have been likewise
shocked and hurt. The highest officials 'of our state government and

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