WSP07068

• File Number: 8141
• Description: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 5/15/1961
• Author: US House of Represen
• Title: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs House of Representatives on H R 2206 H R 2207 H R 2208 and H R 2209
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Legislation

34 2 S i &YlNGPAN-ARKANSAS PROJEl:l', COLORADO

We in the Bureau of Reclamation, belie've that this project meets
every' standard test of current reclamation doctriRe, as defiRed by
many recent acts of Congre?s. All reimbur~able. costs are. retu~abl.e
within a 50-year period of tIme, and the pro)ect IS economically )Ustl-
fied by the most severe. test that has yet been. s~ggested for public
works construction. Satisfactory repayment entItles have been created
uRder Colorado law and have continuously urged enactment of author-
izing legislation so that appropriate repayment contracts might be
consumated, The State of Colorado and previously divided factions
thereof we understand, are united in their support of the development.
As a' matter of natIOnal interest, the area of the Fryingpan-Ar-
kansas project is economically depressed from current industrial UR-
employment and the o.~ricultural develop!nen~ which furnishes the
economic backbone of the area has been IlkeWlse depressed through
the effects of drought and restricted water supply.
Municipo.l growth is being thwarted because of short water supplies,
and the community o.ppe"rs to ho.ve exho.usted its co.pacities for self-
help. Prompt enactment of the legislation being considered here today
would do much t.o alleviate these cond itions.
We will be plensed to attempt to aRswer any inquiries which the
committee careS to mo.ke in order that the merits of this matter may be
fully understood;
Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Mr. Palmer. Mr. Aspinall, do you have
..ny questions!
Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, I wish to congr..tulo.te Mr. Po.lmer
and those working with him for bringing to the committee at this time
a succinct statement of the imr.olto.nt matters involved and permitting
the committee to ask for detn.l]s which will come frum this st!ltement.
, I !llso wish to thank Mr. Palmer for having in his presentation a
st!ltement, tlmt subst!lntiates "hat I said in the beginRing, that this
project conforms in all part.iculars to all policies which are legally re-
quired and which are required by present operations of reclamation
programs. Of course, I thiRk that shows this is a project whichj
staR ding OR its own feet as it does now, can receive the approval ot
Congress.
As I understand it, Mr. Palmer, the quesl.ion of execution of repay-
ment cont.racts before construction sta.rts is not fI, leO'al requirement. Is
that right! 0
Mr. PAL'fER. That is right, sir; it is not.
Mr. ASPINALL. But it h!ls been enunciated by this committee and
Congress and t.he Bureau of Reclamation is willing and desirous of
conforming t.o that policy ~
}'fl'. PAI,MEH. That. is right, sir.
!Ir. ASPINALL. You did not make anv statement on nonreimbur-
sables, but you will be cn ned upon to do 1.1",1., I am sure, when the new
members,.nt least of this committee, begin to ask quest.ions.
There IS n conservancy district, is there not, in the southeastern
pa rt of Colorado, Mr. Palmer?
~fr. PALMER. Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. ASPINALL. Recognized and existing under the laws of Colorado.
Mr. PALMER. Yes, sir.
Mr. ASPINALL. There is an ad valorem tax to which you made ref-
erence and the people of the district are willing to be taxed, generally,

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