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<br />.li43. <br /> <br />STATEMENT ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, COLORADO DIVISION, <br />IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF' AMERICA, IlJC. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Over the ~~st several years, the Colorado Division of <br />the Izaak Walton League has led the fight in Colorado <br />against authorization of ~cho Park Dam within DL~osaur <br />National Monument, as has the national Izaak Walton League <br />in this nationwide controversy. This position was taken <br />only after thorough study, because of what appeared needless <br />destruction of a great national park unit and definite <br />hazards to the entire National Park system. Continuing <br />study and evaluation over the years, of the area itself and <br />of all available data, reports, facts and informed opinion <br />has strengthened our conviction that that position has been <br />sound. <br /> <br />Echo Park Da~, but one feature of an immense Upper <br />Colorado Basin development program, has ass~~ed proportions <br />in the public mind all out of proportion with the objectives, <br />purposes and values of the water program as a whole. This <br />is both good and bad from the standpoint of development of <br />the West. <br /> <br />On one hand, the Echo Park controversy has focused <br />attention upon the National Park system and crystallized <br />widespread determination that our magnificent park system, <br />an essential and irreplaceable resource, must itself be <br />preserved in any resource development-program. <br /> <br />On the other hand, the controversy has tended to <br />instilL in the minds of many the fallacious belief that <br />wi thout Echo Park Dam there can be no sound .vater develop- <br />ment in the Upper Col~rado and without Echo Park the basin <br />is doomed to a future of drouth, dust storms and stagnation. <br /> <br />Echo Park is but one of ma~y potential damsites. <br />There are alternate sites and means whereby the wa"ter storage, <br />Ii ver regulation, power and other benefits can be accomplished. <br />Nevertheless, the issue beca~e one of National Parks vs. <br />water development rather than the real issue, total vs. <br />partial resource planning in the West. <br /> <br />The controversy has raged in the Press and periodicals. <br />It has been debated in the meetings of thousands of organiza- <br />tions, over the radio and TV, before committees of Congress, <br /> <br />I <br />