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<br />Chama River which is a tributary of the Rio <br />Grande) 'Colorado hereby consents to the con- <br />struction of said works and the diversion of <br />waters from the San Juan River or" tributaries <br />thereof into the Rio Grande in New Mexico <br />provided the present and prospective uses of <br />water in Colorado by other diversions from <br />the San Juan River or its tributaries are <br />protected. ' <br /> <br />Now in affect we think we are losing <br />what protection we would have under the <br />Upper Colorado River Compact. We think we <br />are throwing away the protection we have in <br />the Rio Grande clause and accepting, by an <br />agreement, a provision to share shortages <br />that perhaps we wouldn't be saddled with <br />otherwise. What we have asked to be written <br />into this legislation is the principle that <br />we feel is the law. New Mexico disagrees <br />with us. They don't think it is. We are <br />trying to settle this argument now before <br />the projects are authorized. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Now then, I proposed to Mr. Sparks this <br />morning that if this Board was going to take <br />action on the bill, that we delete the entire <br />paragraph. Take out subparagraph (a"). We <br />don't care about subparagraph (b). Also take <br />out subparagraph (c). At least the state <br />would not be taking a position that we think <br />would be damaging to our section of the coun- <br />try. We think we would have some protection <br />from these other things I have mentioned. <br /> <br />Now then, Mr. Sparks has just told you <br />the possibility of action on this bill is <br />nil in'this session of the Congress. We <br />agree with that. Congressman Aspinall has <br />said so. We might suggest that this Board <br />table the matter, inspecting the effects of <br />this provision on the waters of the Animas <br />River and San Juan. Mr. Sparks agreed that <br />perhaps ~.,e"needed'to do some further study to <br />determine when New Mexico has reached its <br />allocation of water. At what time during the <br />historical flow of the river does New Mexico <br />get it? Until those studies are made and <br />until we are absolutely certain of the effects <br />of these provisions, we think that this Board <br />would be doing a disservice to southwestern <br /> <br />I <br />