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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />agriculture is still the number one income-producing enterprise in <br />Colorado and the nation. The State of Colorado in our opinion must <br />closely scrutinize plans for water development so as to maintain a <br />balance between energy and agriculture. It would be folly to "put all <br />our eggs in one basket". <br /> <br />In summary, the San Miguel Project is a project that has strong and <br />enthusiastic local support. It is also an environmentally sound project <br />that will produce both badly needed energy and agricultural products <br />to serve local, state, national and international needs. Thank you, <br />gentlemen. . <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Thank you, Mr. Raley. Are there any questions from the <br />members of the Board? <br /> <br />Mr. Kroeger: Mr. Chairman, I don't have any questions, but I would like <br />to commend the enthusiastic and hard work, as well as the sacrifice of <br />time and doll~rs on the part of the San Miguel people. San Miguel is <br />one of the hardest working, most under-financed conservancy districts <br />I have ever seen. <br /> <br />Mr. Maynes: I second that it is under-financed. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: I will not comment in Washington, in Denver I would have <br />to comment; but these hallowed balls indicate I should not. <br /> <br />(Laughter) <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: The next, I think, is West Divide. <br /> <br />Mr. Bernklau: Mr. Chairman; Members of the Board, I see you have a <br />little problem. I am used to that. <br /> <br />First, on behalf of the West Divide Conservancy District, I'm Carl <br />Bernk1au, President of the Conservancy District. I want to thank the <br />Board for its support of the West Divide Project. I would like to say <br />that the Board is in agreement with the President's budget for the West <br />Divide for fiscal year 1976. If the Bureau of Reclamation could expend <br />more money on that project, we ask your support of that, also. <br /> <br />I will give you a brief report of the progress of our project this last <br />year. <br /> <br />Early this year we hired a private engineering firm to investigate <br />several alternate storage sites within the project. This was done after <br />we encountered some opposition from the environmentalists against the <br />P1acita Reservoir site proposed on the Crystal River. At this point, <br />these alternate sites look encouraging. However, there is much more <br />planning and studying to be done before the definite plan report is out <br />by the Bureau of Reclamation. <br /> <br />Our District now has in operation a citizens advisory panel organized <br />to inform the Bureau of Reclamation and the West Divide Board of the <br /> <br />-47- <br />