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<br />~CJ4- <br /> <br />FRYffiGPAN-ARKANSAS PROJECT, COLORADO <br /> <br />the Bureau ot Reclamation. Much testimony has been received by <br />this committee for a Humber of Congresses. <br />These studies and proposals have resulted in the determinatioR <br />that the project is feasible. It can be const,I1lcted c~nsistent with the <br />recl:tmation laws of the United States. The Frymgpan-Arkansas <br />project would collect wa~ers on the western side at the C~)I1tinental <br />Divide and provIde tor Its tmnsportatlOn to the eastern sIde ot the <br />mountains. The water will be used in the prodnction ot electrical <br />energy, ITIUllicipal purposes, and irrigation. <br />,Ve of the 'Vest, recognize that there mnst be a tnll use ot the water <br />made' available. Otherwise, the economy of the 'Vest, and ot the <br />Nation, suffers. I urge that each of you help preserve the waters ot <br />the 'Vest and help maintain the ooonomy of the 'Vest. and of the <br />United States. <br />This committee is familiar with the many claims of the respective <br />States at (.he waters of the Colorado River. This proposed legislation <br />provides that it is snbject to all of the compacts entered into by t.he <br />respective States and the United States. The State at Colorado, <br />under these com pads, is entit.led to the uelle[it;ialllse in excess of .~1 <br />percent of the water that is produced in the State of Colomdo. There <br />is sufficient water allocated to the citizells of the State of Colorado and <br />the Fryingpan-Arkansas project will make it possible for the people <br />of Colorado to make beneficial use of their allocation. <br />Most of you are familiar with the successful operation of the Colo- <br />rado-Bi~ Thompson project in the northern I,JUrt of the State ot Colo- <br />rado. It is my hope that the committee Will report this legislation <br />soon so that construction may start llt an early date and help to re- <br />cst,lblish the econOInY of the southern part of Colorado. <br />Mr. ROflERS. ::IIr. Dominick. do you ca.re to make a st.atement at <br />this t.ime? <br /> <br />STATEMENT OF RON. PETER R. DOMINICK, A REPRESENTATIVE <br />IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO <br /> <br />Mr. Chairman and fellow members of the committee, I am very <br />pleased to howe the opportnnity to appear before yon in support of <br />the .bills before this committee ftuthol'izing the construction of the <br />Frymgpan-Arkansas transmol1ntnin wat.er diversion project in <br />Colol'lldo. <br />Although I have not llppeared before this committee ill support <br />ot t.his project in pllSt years, I have followed the histol'Y of the pl'oj- <br />eet with great. int.erest lllld hn.Ye a reasonable comparison in my own <br />di~t.rict on which to evaluate the great benefits and auvantages which <br />thIS project will e!feet if clIllded into law. The Colorado-Big Thomp- <br />son project in my own district has been of eIlorlllOUS benefit to northern <br />Colorado, has stabilized the econumy of the area, and was largely <br />responsible for avoiding Wh.lt could hnye been a major rlisaster during <br />the drought years of 1!J!J3-57. It is interesting to note that, in the <br />area. under irrigation from Colorado-Birr Thompson water, the farms, <br />in general, have shifted from crops which are classified generally as <br />surplus to more stllLle crops incllllJiIl!!; vegetllbles 1l1)(1 to additional <br />farm livestock feeding operations. Based on similar comparisons, <br />therefore, it seems to me that the committee and tIlls Congress could <br />rellsolh1bly expect that the additiolllll water to be supplied to the <br />