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<br />. <br />000714 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />We submit the following information for the subcounnittee' s <br />consideration: <br /> <br />1. Narrows pro;ect. This project was originally authorized by the <br />Congress in 1944, as a part of the comprehensive plan for the <br />Missouri River Basin project. Because of World War II, the Korean. <br />conflict, and other pressures and events, construction of the <br />project was delayed to the point where it was necessary to prepare <br />a new feasibility report. As a result of the new report, the <br />project was re-authorized by Congress in 1970. <br /> <br />. The project was already in a construction status under the <br />new authorization when funds were terminated at the request of <br />the President for this fiscal year, pending yet another review of <br />the project. This review has been completed and again demonstrates <br />that the project is both feasible and sound from every rational <br />point of view. The dam safety question has been laid to rest by <br />an independent panel of outstanding engineers and geologists <br />assembled by the federal government and by a separate study con- <br />ducted by the State of Colorado through a thoroughly qualified <br />consulting firm. <br /> <br />Few projects in the history of reclamation have been so <br />thoroughly and intensively evaluated and re-evaluated as has the <br />Narrows project on the South Platte River in Colorado. It would <br />seem that over thirty years of evaluation should be sufficient. <br />The on, off, on and off again status of the project construction <br />has virtually suspended the lives of many of our citizens, par- <br />ticularly those who reside within the reservoir area. <br /> <br />The definite plan report has been completed and repayment <br />contracts signed. A construction headquarters has been estab- <br />lished in Fort Morgan and lands. in the damsite area have already <br />been purchased. Up to this time, almost seven million dollars <br />have been expended from federal funds for project purposes. A <br />further expenditure of approximately one and one-half million <br />dollars has been made to further the project from state and local <br />funds . <br /> <br />Gentlemen, the Narrows project is a sound and viable water <br />project in every way. It has been strongly supported by a <br />succession of four Colorado governors, both Democratic and <br />Republican. The project is strongly supported by the people of <br />the Lower South Platte Valley and by the responsible public <br />agencies which they have created. If the democratic process is <br />to have any meaning at all, I urge this subcommittee to return the <br /> <br />-2- <br />