Many of the businesses in this survey are small, "Mom and Pop" operations. Their demise will not even be recorded in national statistics. A whole town might die. Who cares? To whom do we turn? What questions do we ask? Is our Government really for us-the people? Do our dams really protect us? Or, as it presently appears, do they exist for the benefit of water and power utility interests only? Do our politicians really care about the little guy? I think the powers that be must admit they just might have a tiger by the tail. Holding that tiger is not really the problem-letting him go is. I believe we deserve better and, if we cannot get it with the present administration, changes must be in order. After careful consideration of my speech today, I added a postscript. For weeks I have carefully considered the message I wanted to convey. I think each of the 100 business people I surveyed expressed a different message because each has our individual problems. During the past week the message became clear, rumors such as the dredge moving to Yuma, the Bureau moving its employees out of Needles and trying to keep it quiet. At least the American news media came to my rescue. The conduct of the meetings I have attended do not reflect what we expect from responsive, representative government. The news media showed me the similarity between this situation and the recent shooting of a Korean Airlines plane by the Russians. We are getting the same answers from those officials as the American Government is getting from the Russians. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. I believe this concludes our witness list. Is there anyone here who was on that list and did not get to testify? If not, I think we have accomplished a good deal today. It is good for people who make decisions that affect the lives and fortunes of other people to get out and talk to them and see them and listen to their arguments. I think we have all been able to do that today and I want to thank my colleagues for being here today. It is clear that some good suggestions have been made. When we get back to Washington and have a chance to analyze the major things that have been proposed, we perhaps will have some kind of a consensus on what is needed. We have had an enlightening discussion and I, for one, certainly understand the views of all sides of this a lot better than when I came. Congressman Lewis? Mr. LEWIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to express my appreciation to the people of San Bernardino County, as well as those from across the river for the chairman's willingness to bring this community, my colleagues, to the city of Needles not just to listen, but to hopefully lay the foundation for affirmative action. It was said that the best conservation reservoir is a full one. Our reservoirs are full, ladies and gentlemen. We now need to find a way to deal with this immediate emergency and the kinds of prob lems which we face in the months and years ahead and use these reservoirs as effectively as possible. Thank you for your patience and for being here. It is a privilege to represent you. The CHAIRMAN. This concludes our hearing. The committee is adjourned. [Whereupon, at 2:35 p.m., the committee adjourned subject to the call of the Chair.] APPENDIX I WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1983 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE HEARING RECORD STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN MCCAIN HEARINGS ON COLORADO RIVER FLOODING COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS YUMA, ARIZONA SEPTEMBER 7, 1983 I COMMEND CHAIRMAN UDALL FOR HIS DECISION TO HOLD HEARINGS ON THE FLOODING OF THE COLORADO RIVER COLORADO IS THE WATER OF LIFE FOR ARIZONA. MORE THAN RESOURCE ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA AND THE NATION. THIS FORESIGHT IN THIS RESPECT. (183) I WANT ALSO TO EXPRESS MY DEEP SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHOSE LIVES AND LIVELIHOOD WERE HARMED BY THE FLOODS DURING 1983. I WILL JOIN WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ARIZONA DELEGATION TO SEE TO IT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MEETS ITS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RELIEF TO THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE. I WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE POINT OF VIEW I BRING TO THESE HEARINGS. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I THINK WE NEED A THOROUGH AND DISPASSIONATE REVIEW OF THE FACTS CONCERNING THE FLOODING. WHAT HAPPENED, AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? INTEREST IN THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF THE RIVER FOR US TO LEAVE ANY STONES UNTURNED IN OUR REVIEW OF THE EVENTS OF 1983 AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE COLORADO. I WANT TO SEE THE RIVER MANAGED, AS I KNOW THE CHAIRMAN DOES, TO PROVIDE A STABLE AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT. I THINK THIS GOAL HAS IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RIVER. IT MEANS THAT CONSERVATION STORAGE MUST BE GIVEN VERY HEAVY WEIGHT IN DECISIONS ABOUT PROPER RIVER MANAGEMENT. I THINK THE CURRENT OPERATION OF THE RIVER GIVES THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT TO THIS. OBJECTIVE. I OPPOSE ANY CHANGE WHICH IN ANY WAY THREATENS THE POSSIBLE SUPPLIES OF WATER FOR CAP. I'M SURE THE CHAIRMAN SHARES THIS VIEW WITH ME. THE COLORADO RIVER IS MANAGED FOR MANY PURPOSES. IT WOULD BE PLEASANT TO THINK THAT ALL OF THESE PURPOSES COULD BE FULLY MET ALL OF THE TIME. BUT ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN THE RAGING DESTRUCTION THIS RIVER CAN CREATE UNDERSTANDS THAT WHILE IT HAS BEEN TAMED BY FARSIGHTED WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, IT CANNOT BE TAMED COMPLETELY FOR ALL PURPOSES AND FOR ALL TIMES. THE MANAGERS OF THE RIVER ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE HARD CHOICES. THEY MUST ACHIEVE A BALANCE THAT BEST SERVES THE INTERESTS OF ALL THE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW RIVER. FINALLY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH ANYTHING LIKE A CLEAN SLATE IN CONSIDERING 26-099 0-83--13 |