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<br />002522 <br /> <br />I' <br /> <br />Bridge Canyon Dams be sold at 6 mills per kilowatt-hour. Hoover and <br />Parker-Davis Dams were, of course, built heretofore by the Federal <br />Government and constitute an existing asset for the entire region. <br />At the expiration of the 50-year payout period, it seems reasonable <br />to anticipate that these power dams should be fully integrated finan- <br />cially into the Lower Colorado River Basin plan and provide necessary <br />power benefits to assist the water projects. It would seem reasonable <br />to assume that the power rates fixed should provide whatever benefits <br />are needed to make future projects feasible. As a point of departure, <br />to serve as the basis for discussion in this report, we have assumed <br />that power will continue to be sold at 4.7 mills at Parker-Davis after <br />payout and that Hoover power would be sold after payout at 4 mills. <br />We recognize, however, that these figures are arbitrary and could <br />be flexibly adjusted to meet future financing contingencies. If the <br />economic guidelines outlined in this report were followed, a highly <br />favorable benefit-to-cost ratio would be assured, and the proposed <br />Pacific Southwest Development Fund would produce the revenues needed <br />to amortize whatever water projects were authorized by the Congress. <br /> <br />To assure congressional control over future developments to be <br />financed from the Fund, we propose that the Fund serve as a source <br />of funds from which Congress might also make appropriations, and that <br />each future project require specific statutory authorization to par- <br />ticipate in the Fund. <br /> <br />The Pacific Southwest region presents extensive opportunities <br />for fish an~ wildlife and recreationaI development. The potential of <br />regional power interties promises significant benefits. Water quality <br />contrcI and watershed management are important regional resource <br />objectives. While programs to meet these needs and to take advantage <br />of these opportunities are important parts of the Pacific Southwest <br />Water Plan, their more exact definition and scope require further <br />study and wiIl be considered in light of the review comments received <br />on this report. The programs of the various agencies of the Interior <br />Department a!'e presented in the appendix to this report. <br /> <br />Tne Pacific Southwest is now at the crisis point in meeting its <br />growing demands for water. A renewal of the old controversy over <br />water resources will staII the region beyond the crisis point. The <br />hopes [or the future economic growth and development of this great <br />region are wrapped up in the selected plan or one of its alternatives <br />presented in this report. To implement this plan requires a "can do" <br />philosophy, a confidence in America and in its future. It requires <br />new concepts of land and water management. It requires a new spirit <br />of cooperation and coordination among the diverse Federal, State, <br />and Ioeal interests in this growing region. It requires water states- <br />manship of the highest order. Indeed, either we will prosper together, <br />or we shall shriveI separately. <br /> <br />4 <br />