Laserfiche WebLink
<br />0021J~ <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation has concluded that the next step between the <br /> <br />pilot project and a permanent program of cloud-seeding for augmenting the <br /> <br />Colorado River is a large-scale demonstration project. and initial planning <br /> <br />on such a project has been underJay in F.Y. 1977 under a Congressional ~lte- <br /> <br />in. Expressions of cooperation and support for a Colorado River weather <br /> <br />modification demonstration project have been made by states and concerned <br /> <br />agencies throughout the basin. As mentioned earlier. there are no funds for <br /> <br />continued planning for a demonstration project. however, 1n the F.Y. 1978 <br /> <br />Administration Budget. <br /> <br />Accordingly, we hereby respectfully requE~t that the Congress add funds <br /> <br />to the Bureau of Reclamations's budget for Fiscal Year 1978. to continue the <br /> <br />necessary planning activities on this most vital program. It is our under- <br /> <br />standing that the Bureau of Reclamation has a capability of S500.000 to <br /> <br />continue this program. <br /> <br />Using these funds. the Bureau would design the specific operational <br /> <br />parameters for the program and would commence preparation of an environmental <br /> <br />impact statement on the proposed Colorado River demonstration project. In <br /> <br />addition to demonstrating weather modification as a practical and economical <br /> <br />means for augmenting the Colorado River, the demonstration project ~ould <br /> <br />immediately increase stream runoff in the Colorado River Basin and adjoining <br /> <br />~atersheds. producing significant benefits in added water supply and increased <br /> <br />federal hydroelectric power generation. <br /> <br />56 <br /> <br />~ <br />