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<br />000627 <br /> <br />~. -,- ,- . .- <br /> <br />~~~~Si <br /> <br /> <br />'-.- <br /> <br />Upon completion of the work of these latter two committees, their reports <br />were consolidated into a three-part document and agreement has been reached <br />on two sections of the report, "Standards and Guidelines". The third section <br />of the consolidated work of the two committees, that dealing with "Principles", <br />is still under vigorous discussion. <br /> <br />At Las Vegas, Mr. Holmer called your attention to one matter which <br />still requires your attention, That matter is the request of Governor Connally, <br />addressed to Governor Sawyer almost eighteen months ago. Although the re- <br />presentatives from Texas who have been allowed to attend Western States Water <br />Council meetings are most amiable gentlemen, and although the regular Council <br />members have enjoyed their association with these Texans, I am sure all <br />concerned would be more comfortable if. their status were more clearly defined, <br /> <br />It is interesting to reflect on some of the reasons for the formation of <br />this rather unique organization for water resources development in the West. <br />Obviously, the states in the Lower Colorado Basin - that is, the States ot <br />California (at least Southern California),. Arizona and Nevada - are short of <br />water and are seeking increased supplies, Among the Upper Colorado Basin <br />States, New Mexico is a middleman and Utah is an importer, while Colorado <br />and Wyoming, although limited by compacts as to the amount they can use, are <br />producers and exporters of water, Among the Northwestern States, while some <br />quarters tend toward aridity, there is no overall shortage of water and their <br />.interests emphasize hydroelectric power and navigation toa greater extent <br />than the Southwestern States, California, with substantial water resources avail- . <br />able in the North, and a serious shortage of water resources in the South, is a: <br />unique state in many respects, with regard to water resources development <br />in the West. First of all, she is the only state with a large and significant <br />water resources construction program actively in progress, which is financed <br />with state funds, Politically, she.is by far more powerful than all the other <br />ten Western States combined, having 38 congressmen to 27 for all the other <br />10 states, Her state budget for water resources- about 360 million dollars this <br />year - is larger than some other western states' total general revenue. <br />California has already done much to solve her problem of trans-basin diversions, <br />While viewed with mixed feelings by the other 10 western states, California <br />is obviously the most experienced, the most sophisticated, and the most active <br />in the development of her water resources. <br /> <br />Fortunately, California is disposed to cooperate with the other western <br />states and offers to share her accumulated experience, observations, and. <br />knowledge, not only through the Western States Water Council, but also through <br />any other means, Fortunately also, she has been and remains one of the strongest <br />supporters of the Council. <br /> <br />f;.t~...~",~ ~ "~>"'.;..~:a~ <br /> <br />- 29- <br />