WSP01790

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence-Federal Agencies
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 6/18/1954
• Author: W A Dexheimer
• Title: Statements of Commissioner of Reclamation W A Dexheimer Before Various Public Gatherings - June 1954 through December 1955
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

:lre

OrJ"I~'7<
, ~....
supplied either

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.'

in Hh! or

in part from works built

.
by the

Bureau of Reclro"a-

tion in the last 50 yearg.

There is no disposition on tile part of the Administration or Congress to

increase Federal participation any more fuml necessary. \-fe are urging thnt the

Jtates and their entitites and local cooperative groups undertake to carry out as

.uch of the job of water reSOUI'ces developnent as possible. Many Hestern States

.1ave enacted laws to essist in SI!lall project development. These should be utilized

to the fullest extent possible, There is a big enough job for the Federal Govern-

ment to do Hithout getting into work which otilers can accomplish.

Even on the major interstate and basin-wide projeots which are clearly the

primary responsibility of the Federal Government, there is e distinct local responsi-

bility. ~e want tile benefit of your edvice and active participation in all phases

of project development.

We want local participation in order that there will be loeal understanding and

acceptance of responsibility in presentation of the project to the Congress.

Let me explain that local understanding and united support before the Congress

is one of the principal factors in suocessful consideration of any proposed project

authorization. The Congress has a most difficult responsibility in tl1ese days of

high costs ~or defense and security purposes, end must, necessarily, look carefully

't any proposal involving the expenditure of Federal ftlnds.

Nevertheless, the Congress has shown a disposition to go along on any project

for which fuere is united support and for \,~ich the facts clearly demonstrate eco-

nomic feasibility. There are, of course, some iJ:dividuals voicing an objection to

any major reclamation effort, but more often than not this objection is based on a

misunderstanding. That is why it is all the more important fuat there be a complete

knowledge of the facts and complete support of those facts by the people in the area

to be serviced by the proposed project.

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