Hon. EUGENE MILLIKIN, STATE OF NEW MEXICO, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Irrigation of the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee of the Senate, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR MILLIKIN: In view of the letter of March 18, 1954, of the Bureau of the Budget to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the Colorado River storage project and participating projects, it becomes necessary to again call your attention to the unique situation with regard to utilization of Colorado River water by the State of New Mexico. The Secretary of the Interior in his recommendations, in a supplemental report on this project, issued in November 1953, recommended authorization of the Shiprock unit of the Navaho project including the Navaho Dam and the joint works to serve the South San Juan unit of that project. I wholeheartedly support that recommendation. Because the Navaho project is merely one element of the unified program of development for New Mexico, we have sought conditional authorization on the complete program because of the necessity for recognizing the interrelation of all the elements of our program. Any development at this time of one of the elements without full consideration of the others can be of serious jeopardy to the ultimate full utilization of Colorado River water to which New Mexico is entitled. It must be fully realized that the New Mexico situation is unique and that our efforts to obtain conditional authorization cannot be considered as a precedent or a reason for any other conditional authorization. Your earnest consideration of our particular problem is respectfully requested. New Mexico feels that the present legislation substantially as is contained in H. R. 4449 and S. 1555 adequately covers the State's situation and urges a favorable report by your subcommittee. Very truly yours, E. L. MECHEM, Governor. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, January 9, 1954. Senator HUGH BUTLER: It is a privilege to write to you as head man of the Senate group on interior and insular affairs. As a citizen and taxpay of the State of Utah I would like your support on the Echo Park Dam. We need this water very much. Thank you for your splendid work. Sincerely, Mrs. WILLIAM J. VINCENT. NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION, INC.. Re Echo Park Dam Representative A. L. MILLER, Chairman, House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN MILLER: The Northwest Public Power Association endorses and urges the authorization and construction of Echo Park Dam. A resolution to this effect was adopted by the board of trustees of this association at its winter meeting November 20, 1953. The association has made an office study of the project and of the upper Colorado River report of the Bureau of Reclamation. The objections of so-called nature groups have been noted and found to be deficient. This association advocates multiple purpose, comprehensive development of water resources on a river basin basis including maximum feasible hydroelectric power utilization. The association also advocates development of recreation and wildlife potentialities. On the other hand we are opposed to single purpose use or monopolization of water resources. In the Echo Park case we see a dogin-the-manger attitude on the part of national park specialists who advocate disuse of the river. The Northwest Public Power Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade organization of 93 public and cooperative electric systems in Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. The association is interested in this case be cause of its bearing on availability of power at low rates and because of its bearing on comprehensive development. Public and cooperative systems in the Northwest serve 2 million people or 39 percent of the population. Please enter this letter in the hearing record as an endorsement of Echo Park Dam. Sincerely, NORTHWEST PUBLIC POWER ASSOCIATION, INC., Hon. HUGH BUTLER, UTAH STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior Affairs, SIR: The radio and newspapers of our area have devoted considerable time and space to the upper Colorado storage project issue during the past few months, and from our analysis of the news we feel that the issue is being clouded somewhat by the arguments raised by some well-meaning conservation groups and others. These powerful and influential groups either are not advised or they have lost sight of the fact that when the Dinosaur National Monument was increased to its present size it was specifically understood that the reservoir and power potential of the area would not be jeopardized. Rather than jeopardize the development of these natural resources, we would urge that the boundaries of the monument again be changed to exclude the Echo Park Dam site and area covered by the reservoir. Engineers of our group have made careful studies of the various features of the project for a number of years, and we feel confident that the Bureau of Reclamation has made a thorough and complete investigation of all alternates, and that the plan being proposed by them is one which will provide the greatest possible returns from the Colorado River. In considering this project, we urge that you carefully consider the following advantages derived from this project: 1. In order that the United States may build her national defense and become less vulnerable in case of attack, the inland resources of our country should receive major consideration for development in the next few years. It cannot be too greatly emphasized that developments of this kind will be of great value in our present-day economy, and will be of immeasurable greater value in the event of a national emergency. 2. The development of the inland resources of the Western United States (including agricultural, mineral, and power) is completely dependent upon the development of the surface-water resources. 3. The upper Colorado Basin storage project, and in particular the Echo Park development, is the key to the development of the thousands of acres of rich agricultural land in Utah and vast mineral resources within the State of Utah. The geography of Utah is such that the water taken from the Colorado River must be developed in the vicinity of Echo Park or it cannot be economically used within the State. The rainfall in Utah is such that further development of her rich agricultural and mineral resources is impossible without the development of the Colorado River. United States Bureau of Reclamation engineers have looked thoroughly into the possibility of alternative designs which would permit utilization of the river and development of the proposed areas. There are alternates to this proposal which do not include Echo Park Dam, but the best of these will inundate greater areas and increase evaporation and other losses estimated to be as much as 300,000 acre-feet annually. This is a sufficient water supply for a great industrial development, for 100,000 acres of agricultural land, or for a municipal supply for a city of over 500,000 population. This water is not available from any other source and it controls the development of land and mineral resources which cannot be realized in any other way. 4. The proposed project is such that it will not serve its purpose if only approved in part. The regulation of flow on the Colorado River which the project would provide is absolutely essential if the upper basin States are going to be able to develop and utilize their portion of the Colorado River. 5. The development of the upper Colorado River basin storage project would make available large blocks of hydroelectric energy now being wasted. The construction of the Echo Park Dam will make possible maximum power development. 6. The recreational facilities of this now primitive area would be greatly increased by creating a large body of fresh water accessible by first-class highways. This area, now inaccessible except to a very few daring and adventurous people, has potential recreational possibilities as great as Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. It should be pointed out that very few people ever saw Boulder Canyon prior to the construction of Hoover Dam, but millions have enjoyed this area because the dam was built. A similar vacation land can be created at Echo Park by the construction of a dam as proposed. 7. Water conditions conducive to game-fish development would be greatly increased at the site of the Echo Park Dam, in the lake above, and in the stream below the dam, thus increasing the recreational value. 8. The archeological value of the Echo Park site would not be decreased by the building of the Echo Park Dam, for the dinosaur quarry is many miles from the reservoir and would not be inundated. Furthermore, when the Dinosaur National Monument was expanded to its present size it was done with the understanding that it would not bar the development of the waters and resources in this area. These and many other reasons lead us to believe that the upper Colorado Basin storage project, including the Echo Park Reservoir, should be immediately approved and we urge that you give earnest and careful consideration to the proposal as submitted by the Bureau of Reclamation. We solicit your personal support and that of your high office to insure the approval of this worthy project. Very truly yours, A. A. Bishop, Associate Professor, Irrigation and Drainage Engineer ing; J. E. Christiansen, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology and Professor of Civil Engineering; Clayton Clark, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering; Larry S. Cole, Professor and Head Electrical Engineering; Spencer H. Daines, Head, Agricultural Engineering Department, and Associate Professor Agricultural Engineering; D. K. Fuhriman, Associate Professor, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering; Melvin J. Greaves, Associate Professor Civil Engineering; O. W. Israelsen, Professor, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering; William L. Jones, Assistant Professor Electrical Engineering; Harold R. Kepner, Professor Civil Engineering; C. H. Milligan, Head, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering and Professor of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering; Eldon M. Stock, Professor Civil Engineering; Willis A. Tingey, Assistant Professor Civil Engineering; R. K. Watkins, Assistant Professor Civil Engineering. Hon. HUGH BUTLER, VERNAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Chairman, Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Enclosed is a copy of the resolutions from the board of county commissioners of Salt Lake County, State of Utah, endorsing the Colorado River project and participating projects. Very truly yours, L. Y. SIDDOWAY, Secretary, Colorado River Development Association. RESOLUTION At a regular meeting of the board of county commissioners of Salt Lake County, State of Utah, held on the 11th day of December 1953, at the hour of 10 a. m. in the commission chambers, city and county building, Salt Lake City, Utah, there being present the following commissioners: Adiel F. Stewart, Ray P. Greenwood, and Lamont B. Gunderson; and Whereas the board of county commissioners of Salt Lake County has been informed that there will be considered at the forthcoming 83d session of the Congress of the United States House bill 4463 authorizing the construction of the Colorado River storage project and participating projects, and Whereas the board of county commissioners of Salt Lake County is of the opinion that this proposed legislation is of vital interest and importance to the development and prosperity of the State of Utah and that its passage will have an ultimate salutary effect upon the economy of Salt Lake County. Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Salt Lake County that the said board does hereby endorse House bill 4463 and recommends that early and favorable action thereon by the Congress of the United States at the forthcoming 83d session be taken. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the various committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Congress of the United States which will give consideration to said proposed legislation. Dated this 11th day of December 1953. Attest: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF By ADIEL F. STEWART, Chairman. ALVIN KEDDINGTON, County Clerk. By ALVIN KEDDINGTON. RAWLINS, WYO., July 2 1954. Senator FRANK A. BARRETT, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Support amendment offered by Senator Ed Johnson of Colorado to include the pothook and savery project in the Colorado Basin development plan. Echo Park now pending before the Senate. SAVERY AND POTHOOK COMMITTEE, RESOLUTION NO. 8 Whereas the development of the Colorado River in the upper basin States, consisting of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, is of foremost importance to the future development and general welfare of said States and of the Western United States; and Whereas development in the Green River Basin of Wyoming will be an important part of the upper Colorado River program; and Whereas regulation and storage of waters of the Green River and its tributaries are vital to the further development of irrigation, agriculture, and industrial expansion in western Wyoming; and Whereas irrigation of the large areas of irrigible land in the upper Green River Basin will provide needed food and fiber to meet the requirements of a rapidly expanding population in the United States, and will further stabilize the existing agricultural development of Wyoming; and Whereas regulation and storage of waters of the Green River will, in addition to providing water supplies for further irrigation, furnish a dependable water supply for use in expanding industry and development of the abundant local mineral resources; and Whereas regulation and storage of waters of the upper Colorado River and tributaries will provide as a byproduct, large blocks of low-cost electric power vital to agricultural and industrial progress of Wyoming: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Wyoming Lions clubs favor and urge the enactment by Congress of legislation authorizing construction of the Colorado River storage project and participating projects as approved by the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives; and be it further Resolved, That certified copies of this resolution be promptly submitted to the Honorable Lester C. Hunt and the Honorable Frank A. Barrett, United States Senators from the State of Wyoming; the Honorable William Henry Harrison, Representative at Large from the State of Wyoming; and all members of the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives; and also the chairman of the resolutions committee of Lions International. Attest: The above resolution was officially presented to the convention of the Multiple District 15 of Lions International, consisting of the Lions clubs of Wyoming, and was on Tuesday, June 15, 1954, unanimously adopted by this said Wyoming State Convention of Lions. C. C. Cox, Wyoming State Council Secretary-Treasurer and also Convention Secretary for the Convention. Re S. 1555. Hon. HUGH BUTLER, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. JUNE 30, 1954. MY DEAR SENATOR: I am sure you will not only remember being in our mines in New Mexico but will recall interviews I have had the good fortune to have with you from time to time in recent years. Before going into the mining business 21 years ago I was in the Department of the Interior where I was concerned with the administration of national parks for 20 years. I was Director of the National Park Service during the latter part of the Coolidge administration and throughout the Hoover administration, running well into the new administration which began March 4, 1933, before retiring to private life. I am very much concerned about the danger to the national parks and national monuments inherent in the proposal to build a dam at Echo Park in the Dinosaur National Monument, as provided for in a bill or bills now before your committee (S. 1555) to provide for the development of the upper Colorado River Basin. I can make my point clear I think by quoting a memorandum I submitted to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs which I submit to you at this point: "A press release from the Department of the Interior states that departmental approval has been given by the Secretary to a program for the development of the upper Colorado River. "This program contemplates the erection of several dams for the impoundment of water for the irrigation of arid land and the production of hydroelectric power. One of the dams specifically mentioned as being a part of the program is the Echo Park Dam, which, if authorized by Congress, would be built in the Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. "The undersigned wishes to enter a strong protest against the erection of any reclamation or power structure in the Dinosaur National Monument. Should this Echo Park project be authorized, not only will the scenic and recreational features of the national monument be destroyed, but an extremely dangerous precedent will have been created, through the employment of which, projects in other national monuments and even in the great national parks themselves, might be and probably would be authorized in time. "The national park and monument system began with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in the administration of President Grant, through his approval on March 1, 1872, of the act creating Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains, in territory now lying with in the States of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. "The fundamental feature of the organic laws creating the national parks, beginning with Yellowstone, was the mandate that the territory reserved within the park boundaries should be retained in its natural condition. There was to be no exploitation of any of the resources of these parks, and there was to be no structure built within them except those that might be needed for the enjoyment of the areas by the public. "By the act of August 25, 1916, the National Park Service was created as a bureau of the Department of the Interior, to administer and protect the national parks, national monuments, and other reservations assigned to its jurisdiction. "This law contains the following provisions: ""The Service thus established, shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures, as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the |