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<br />" <br />). <br /> <br />Next, it is a long established policy of the Bureau of Reclamation that <br />projects developed by us in cooper.ation with the local interests should be managed <br />and operated by' a responSible loc~ group upon completion of construction. Both <br />this and the pGlicy relating to repa~ent are policies of long standing. <br /> <br />Also,. a partnership can,on1;lbe effectiVe if each partner has ,the confidence <br />and authority of those whom they in turn serve. Bluntly, I am sa;l'ing that i-f we <br />work together you must proVide leadership that truly represents this area. ' <br /> <br />Under these concepts, I am sure you are aware of your own responsibilities <br />should you seek our help in a partnership approach. <br /> <br />Those responsibilities will include a recognition that it is your task to <br />establish what lands have the right to the use of water. They will incl'llrle a <br />responsibility for the per:t:ection and retention of your rights, and assurance to us <br />that beneficiaries of a mutually developed project do have a right to use of water <br />that will yield thElllprofit. In brief, the perfection of your right to the use of <br />the water is your responsibility. <br /> <br />To sum up my concepts of a partnership approach; The manner in which you <br />choose to develop your Valley is primarily your concern. We can only help you tech- <br />nically within the bounds of basic decisions you must make. Whether you, ,choose an <br />Anzalduas or a Garza divers:i,on is no concern of ours once all' the facts are known to <br />you. Whether you choosei'or choose not, to impdrtwater is your decis:i,on. <br />. r -. .' . <br />" ' <br /> <br />Our priina1"J concern, if, we work t.;1 t1l you, is assurance that the Federal water <br />dollar is spent wiseln' that it is spenti,n the national interest. <br /> <br />I will touch briefiy upon the 160-acre land limitation proVision. of Reclamation <br />Law. I am fully aware of the hardshiD which is sometimes invoked when this law is <br />applied to supplemental water pr'ojects.At the same time this is a law of the land, <br />enunciated by the Congress., ' As Commissioner of Reclamation;, I am duty bound to <br />enforce its provisions,"solon.g as it is on'the books. If and when it is amended, I <br />will be dut;y' l:1ound to supPort the new law but it is only Congress that can change <br />it. There has been considerable study of possible changes by groups such as the <br />National Recl&matio~ Association and your o~m Texas Water Conservation Association. <br />It is possible'that some proposals may be considered bY,the present Congress. <br /> <br />So much for Val:j.ey. problems and how we might be of aid should you so to/ish. Let <br />me sUmmarize, and look briefly at the future~ <br /> <br />, The future can be exciting arid profitable if you choose to make it so. It <br />offers an inviting horizon'Whose breadth and limits you yourself can ,establiSh. <br /> <br />The Valley has grown a lot, but that is only part of the story. It has a lot <br />more growing it can do. Our present developnent here will'appear SIIlall indeed if <br />the larger opportunities ahead are boldly developed. . <br /> <br />As an engineer, I know that this general area-the Valley and the areaimmed!... <br />ately to the north-can successfully expand and irrigate OVlElr one millionse",en' , <br />hundred thousand acres of land. This can occur on. landS of demonstrated fertility <br />b,y importing water supplies surplus to requirements elseWhere. <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />r' .... ~ i""; ,""It <br />\_. '.. Lv, 0 <br />