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<br />I <br /> <br />request a high priority for funds for the Dolores project. Those <br />funds were added by the Congress to the budget and they are now avail- <br />able and are being expended to complete the advanced planning on the <br />project. However, it appears if everything goes according to schedule <br />that we could initiate construction of the Dolores project during the <br />next fiscal year. We have had connnunication with the Bureau of Recla- <br />mation on this matter and with the Dolores Water Conservancy District. <br />The District recommends that we seek additional funds of not less than <br />$850,000 to initiate construction of that project during the next fiscal <br />year. The staff concurs with that reconnnendation made by the Dolores <br />Water Conservancy District. This is the only addition that we propose <br />at this time to the President's budget. <br /> <br />MR. BROWNELL: Is there any explanation why that was kept off the <br />President's budget? <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: We've never been able to get a satisfactory explanation, <br />except that there was apparently some doubt as to whether or not the <br />project would be ready for construction during the next fiscal year. <br />We now understand that the President is in full support of the project, <br />and the Congress as well. <br /> <br />MR. SHERMAN: Larry, were there any construction starts that were part <br />of the President's budget? I understood there was a policy, generally, <br />that no new construction starts were to be a part of the 1977 fiscal. <br />year. <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: There was an announced policy of no new starts and that. <br />applied nation-wide. However, there will be some, I'm quite sure. <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: Mr. Chairman, we feel that we're ready to go with the <br />Dolores project. We're disappointed that it isn't included in the <br />President's budget request. The project solves a lot of problems in <br />our area. It takes care of some Indian water rights problems, it adds <br />some supplemental.water to a lot of presently irrigated land that's in <br />short supply, and it provides some municipal water, some recreational <br />water, and water for presently farmed dry land. It's a good project. <br />It has a high rating as far as the National Water Congress is con- <br />cerned, and we're happy that the staff has seen fit to suggest that <br />$850,000 be asked for that project, and I urge this board to support <br />that, and I would so move. <br /> <br />MR. FORD: Seconded. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Do you want to take this down in order, or with the <br />rest of the projects? <br /> <br />MR. KROEGER: Because it is a special thing, could we have a special <br />motion on it? <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: All right. <br />ing the Dolores.project and <br />response.) <br /> <br />Is there any further discussion on approv- <br />the appropriation of $850,000? (No <br /> <br />-9- <br />