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<br />..-! <br />0') <br />- <br /> <br />STATEMENT OF WILLIAM RALEY <br />SAN MIGUEL RECLAMATION PROJECT <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />BEFORE THE <br />COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD <br />WASHINGTON, D.C. <br /> <br />March 20, 1975 <br /> <br />Mr. Chairman and members of the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board; <br /> <br />It is a pleasure for me to speak to you on behalf of the San <br />Miguel Reclamation Project. The people of the San Miguel Basin are <br />encouraged with President Ford's 1976 budget request for the Sen <br />Miguel Project. This is refreshing especially in view of the cnntin- <br />uous struggle we have had since project authorization in 1968 to <br />obtain funds. We would urge the Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />and the entire Colorado Congressional Delegation to support the <br />President's proposed budget for the San Miguel Project. <br /> <br />As you well know, one of the most outstanding aspects of the <br />San Miguel Project has been the very strong and enthusiastic support <br />given this project by the local people. All too often when we con- <br />sider various projects, we get so wrapped up in engineering, economics <br />and cost benefit ratios that we tend to minimize the "people" aspect. <br />Over the years, going clear back to the turn of the century, water <br />development has been a high priority in the minds of the people of <br />the San Miguel Basin, for they realize that without water we are <br />stymied both socially and economically. This great importance <br />attached to water was reconfirmed during 1974 when the local planning <br />commission conducted a series of public hearings to set priorities <br />for planning purposes. Water development and the San Miguel Project <br />were at the top of the priority list. Also during 1974, the Wright's <br />Mesa Domestic Water System Project was started which would initially <br /> <br />i <br />