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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />or eliminated some of the dams on virtually all of the projects and . <br />instituted pumping in lieu of, some of the original structures originally <br />planned. The problem we are running into there is that the pumping <br />cOsts are now becoming almost prohibitive. The cost of power has gone <br />up beyond belief in the past 10 years, and those costs will continue to <br />climb in the future. We are reaching a point of diminishing returns on <br />pumping. We are getting the pumping costs so high that the O&M, the <br />operation and maintenance, is getting water rates almost out of sight. <br /> <br />Every time we try to trade off one thing for another, we run into a <br />prOblem: The basic prOblem with power is that new power plants also <br />have some adverse effect upon the environment. So we get back to the <br />old scientific observation that for every action there is an equal and <br />opposite reaction. There are no simple trade-offs on any of these proj- <br />ects. They just don't exist. <br /> <br />That is what we are running into in the San Miguel, the Animas-La Plata, <br />and the West Divide Projects. The power costs. of pumping may just get <br />us out of the economic ball park. The Animas-La Plata is still in <br />fairly good shape. So far we have been able to maintain a benefit-cost <br />unity, a reasonable benefit-cost unity, on the West Divide and' the San <br />Miguel. If we keep projecting these power costs upward, we' are in deep <br />trouble there. <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: Mr. Chairman, I have one other question, or at least a <br />COmment, in regard to the Animas-La Plata. Although our board has not <br />met officially, I think we concur with the analysis that you have made <br />in requesting the $450,000 for continued planning. We would urge that <br />this board go along with your recommendation. We would like to appear <br />before the hearings in Washington and ask that the $450,000 be allocated <br />for advance planning. <br /> <br />MR. FETCHER: Are you looking for a resolution to that effect? <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: Well, not necessarily by itself, but:however--itdoesn't <br />matter--whether you would like to do it all by itself or as part of the <br />total project. <br /> <br />MR. FETCHER: Well, knowing how long archaeological investigations can <br />take, I would certainly make such a resolution. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Is there a second? <br /> <br />MR. MacFARLANE: I will second it. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Just so the Chair can know, what is the resolution? <br /> <br />MR. FETCHER: That we seek $450,000 in fiscal year '80 for the Animas- <br />La Plata Project, continuing studies. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: All right, is there any COmment on that? <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: I think not, Mr. Chairman. That is the recommendation <br />that the staff came up with. We would be glad to hear any better ones. <br /> <br />-19- <br />