BOARD01303

• Board Meeting Date: 1/14/1960
• Description: Minutes
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

1778

MR. SPARKS:

MR. STAPLETON:

MR. EAKES:

"Congressman Aspinall made it very clear
that this was a state problem and not a Con-
gressional problem. I might add that Congress-
man Aspinall has some ideas of his own about
this bill which he, himself, will take care of
in Congress. He said this portion of it, ~nd I
the policy, must be established here. And what's
established here would receive his approval in
any subsequent negotiations with the New Mexico
Congressional delegation. He said that policy
was a matter to be established by the State of
Colorado and that he would then attempt to
carry it through in the Congress."

"Are there any further comments from mem-
bers of the Board?"

Mr. Eakes."

"Mr. Chairman, I've had one worry about
this form of procedure that I have sta.te.d'.to.
everyone that's been working on it and I want
to state it for the record. I'm not at ali sure
that trying to accomplish here by amendments to
a bill is the most satisfactory procedure.
Legislation - a bill like this authorizing the
construction of a project or projects - can at
a later date be amended. It's just an,l act of
the United States Congress and they can pass
another act to repeal it or adopt a new one
that might have different terms, that might be
a bit formidable to our position. I have felt,
and have always felt, and have expressed that
time and time again, that the only way I think
this can be done for full security is by the
negotiation of a compact between the two states,
and the negotiation of a compact between the
two states was contemplated by the members of
the commission that negotiated the Upper Colo-
rado River Compact.

I have some reservations in my mind as to
whether this will ultimately secure the problem
as it should be done. However, I can only say I
this is certainly a long, long way. in the direc-
tion that we favor in the protection of Colo~
rado rights. If this is the best solution
that can be arrived at in this matter, then cer- .
tainly we will support it. If the compact pro-
cedure can be used, I think we would feel more
secure under it."