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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />impact statements and repayment contracts, and elections can be <br />formulated by December, 1975. <br /> <br />During the months of January and February, 1976, environmental impact <br />statements can be filed with the Council, and the final approval of the <br />repayment contract can be finalized. In support of the previously <br />mentioned statement, we solicit the support of the Colorado Water Con- <br />servation Board in obtaining a congressional write-in appropriation to <br />allow the Dolores Water Conservancy District to proceed with all due <br />urgency in the development of its project. <br /> <br />We are aware during your time in Washington it will not be possible to <br />discuss the details and all the merits of the Dolores Project. However, <br />you will recall from our previous testimony before this Board that the <br />Dolores Project is very well documented. In order to better inform you <br />about our progress we have prepared some brochures to provide you with <br />the basic information concerning the Dolores Project. We have previ- <br />ously passed those out to the interested parties. <br /> <br />We realize our statement has been brief, and the Board may want to ask <br />questions about the project. But before we close our statement, I would <br />like to ask Dr. David Herrick, the Vice President of the Dolores Water <br />Conservancy Board, to briefly discuss the district's involvement in <br />the scenic rivers legislation, and the impact the Dolores Project will <br />have on it. <br /> <br />Dr. Herrick: Thank you. Let me just touch briefly on the two points <br />that Bruce mentioned. We feel that we have, from the environmental <br />standpoint, a project that may be somewhat unique in the annals of <br />reclamation projects. We think that we have a case here where we can <br />have our cake, and eat it, too. Near the Town of Dolores the point of <br />divergence with the Montezuma Irrigation Company, from that point down- <br />stream Dolores River for- some 168 miles, it's virtually a dead river. <br />This is unfortunate from the environmental standpoint because this <br />stream goes through one of the most beautiful and truly wild river <br />canyons in the State of Colorado. But unfortunately, for about eight <br />to ten months out of the year it is dryas a bone unless there happens <br />to be a runoff from side canyons. <br /> <br />One of the unique features of our project is that there will be sus- <br />tained releases from the reservoir on a year-round basis, and it will <br />rehabilitate this part of the river and allow it to be considered under <br />the wild and scenic river legislation. It will provide what we hope <br />will be outstanding trout fishing trout fishing below the dam, and <br />restore the wildlife population throughout the canyon. <br /> <br />In addition of course there are many recreational and environmental <br />benefits that will accrue because of the reservoir itself, boating and <br />fishing in the reservoir. We are very pleased about this. <br /> <br />The other thing that Bruce mentioned, that we would like to bring to <br />your attention. All of us in Colorado talk about our climate and the <br />1;act that we all need water development. I don't think many of us know <br /> <br />-39- <br />