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t- Hon. stewart L. U~l - 3 - . January 3, 1963 c C, streamflow. This means in essence that there will be times when the Secretary must release water from or through Navajo Reservoir, irrespective of actual contractual obligations entered into pur- suant to the legislation here under consideration. In further explanation of the foregoing, it is our interpretation of the upper basin compact, when considered in the light of the Colorado River Compact, that New Mexico's depletion allocation must be based upon an average annual depletion computed from any period of 10 consecutive years reckoned in continuing progressive series. This compact interpretation, along with the assumed operation of Navajo Reservoir before described, is an integral part of the agree- ment arrived at between the states of Colorado and New Mexico as it pertains to the pending legislation. If there is any disagreement on what we have just said, we trust that the same shall be made known to this committee." Since the proposed Animas-La Plata Project is actually a joint Colorado-New Mexico venture, we believe that any water supply con- flict is more imaginery than real. Our rather lengthy foregoing discussion was for the purpose of emphasizing our conviction that the term "historic contribution" must be limited to study purposes only, and not construed as a basis for future project operation. In accordance with the Fish and wildlife Coordination Act, our Colorado Game and Fish Department has reviewed and approved the included report of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Comments on this and reports of other cooperating agencies are con- tained in Chapter VIII of the basic report. We concur with the comments and recommendations contained in that chapter. The eventual construction of the Animas-La Plata project will be a tremendous asset to the economies of both Colorado and New Mexico. It will provide an economic stimulus to the tribal lands of the ute Mountain and ute Southern Indians. To date the State of Colo- rado has contributed approximately $75,000 towards the project in- vestigation. The La Plata Water Conservancy District was organized under the laws of the state of Colorado some eighteen years ago as a contractual and operational agency for the project. A similar organization exists within the State of New Mexico. The State of Colorado will continue to lend every possible assistance to the end that the project shall be speedily authorized and constructed. /s/ Respectfully submitted. FELIX L. SPARKS Director FLS:hfa Copied: CWCB/lk 1/4/63