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I I that complicated the matter greatly. because there was nothing that we could do internally here to overturn the opinion of the Solicitor. He ruled, in effect, that the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project could not be operated the way it was originally contemplated. His ruling greatly restricted the water supply for that project, insofar as Hunter Creek was concerned. So we had to approach the matter in two phases. We had to get a Congressional Act, which, in effect, would overturn the Solicitor's opinion, and, secondly, we had to get an internal agreement here within the state. The congressional Act was, in fact, dependent on some internal agree- ment. The members of our congressional delegation were understandably reluctant to do anything until some agreement was arrived at here within the state. That agreement was arrived at, and the congressional delegation was notified. Within a matter of a few days in the closing days of the session of the Congress, the two senators, Senators Hart and Haskell, added an amendment to a bill which originally was a California bill affecting some land exchanges out there. They added an amendment which we had prepared which would satisfy the opinion of the Solicitor. The Solicitor concurred that that bill would satisfy his legal objections to the project operation. The bill was promptly sent over to the House; and on the final day of the session, through the efforts of congressman Evans, primarily, but with the full support of our entire House delegation, the bill was approved in the House. I have not heard as yet whether or not the President has signed the. bill. But as far as we know, he intends to sign the bill. Have you any later information, Tommy? MR. THOMSON: It is on his desk today, and all indications are that he will sign it. But, as you know, the co-sponsors of the bill all came from the West, and.I think he is going to make them sweat it out until the 6th. He has until the 6th to sign it or to veto it. MR. SPARKS: We have a number of states interested in that bill. We simply tacked on an amendment to an existing. bill, a bill which had already previously passed the House; the Senate added the amendment and sent it back to the House; and it was accepted by the House. As far as we know, the President will sign the bill. He has until, when did you say, the 6th? MR. THOMSON: Yes, the 6th. MR. SPARKS: If he doesn't sign it by that date, the bill dies. It becomes a pocket veto. In any event, we have the agreement in the state. There are three cases pending now which this .agreement would terminate--two in the Federal Court (one in the Circuit Court of Appeals and one in the -17-