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<br />'.. <br /> <br />.OD0429 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />the annual Mexican Treaty obligation and the debit created thereby, <br /> <br />any additional water shall be paid for by water users in Colorado <br /> <br />under reclamation law. We are willing to enter into contractual <br /> <br />arrangements for the use of any water in excess of the treaty <br /> <br />requirements. <br /> <br />To the extent of our financial ability, we have agreed to <br /> <br />participate in both the construction and operation of the project. <br /> <br />Of the total lands involved for project purposes, about 61,000 acres <br /> <br />are owned by the State of Colorado, or approximately 55 percent of <br /> <br />the total. By the terms of the legislation, the state-owned lands <br /> <br />must be made available as part of the project without cost to the <br /> <br />federal government. The project will also enhance the existing <br /> <br />A1amosa National Wildlife Refuge and provide for the establishment <br /> <br />of the Mishak National Wildlife Refuge. We believe that these two <br /> <br />national wildlife areas are properly a part of the project, even <br /> <br />though they occupy lands and consume water which we could well use <br /> <br />-' <br /> <br />for other purposes. <br /> <br />Colorado finds itself in a position today that almost <br /> <br />fifty percent of its total surface water supplies have been allo- <br /> <br />cated to other states by federal court decisions, interstate compacts <br /> <br />and international treaties. No other state of this Union bears such <br /> <br />a burden in connection with its native water, with the possible <br /> <br />exception of Wyoming_ Eighteen other states and the Republic of <br /> <br />-12- <br />