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<br />To the extent of our financial ability, we have agreed to <br /> <br />participate in both the construction and operation of the project. Of <br /> <br />the total lands involved for project purposes, ~out 1>, ,000 ....r.." are <br /> <br />o~ed bY_.!Jle_ State of colorado,,..5l..r approximately fift;y-five 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 Alamosa <br /> <br />National Wildlife Refuge and provide for the establishment of the Mishak <br /> <br />National Wildlife Refuge. We endorse the purposes of these national <br /> <br />wildlife areas, even though they occupy lands and consume water which <br /> <br />we could well use for other purposes. <br /> <br />With state and local funds we are continuing to improve our <br /> <br />delivery capability pursuant to the terms of the Rio Grande Compact. <br /> <br />However, the only adequate solution to the pressing water supply prob- <br /> <br />lem in the Rio Grande Basin is the construction of the Closed Basin <br /> <br />project. To that end, the State of Colorado and the citizens of the <br /> <br />San Luis Valley have expended considerable sums of money and a great <br /> <br />amount of effort in bringing the project to this stage. We most <br /> <br />earnestly urge this committee to report favorably on the bill with <br /> <br />those amendments already adopted by the Senate. <br /> <br />We realize that the committee is trying to finalize its <br /> <br />activities for this session. We are therefore most appreciative for <br /> <br />the opportunity to present our case at this time. <br /> <br />.- ,'" .... ... . ~ <br />I . .'" <br />'.J'~ ..-........ ~v <br /> <br />FLS:mm <br /> <br />-6- <br />