extraordinary event. Most of the damage, unfortunately, could have been not by a different reservoir operation, but by more realistic enforcement of flood plain regulations. As has been mentioned by both the Bureau of Reclamation and the Upper Colorado River Commission, the preponderance of damage occurred 3 within the 40,000 ft /sec floodway. Encroachment into this floodway has become so wide spread that 25,000 ft/sec begins to cause damage in the Parker Strip area. Elimination of all similar unwise and perhaps even illegal construction within the floodway is in our opinion the most reasonable and equitable means of minimizing future flood damage. A number of individuals are suggesting that changes to the collection of compacts, laws and regulations that make up the Law of the River will be required to cope with future flood control problems in the most efficient manner. Though I do not object to review of the long-range operating criteria and other portions of the Law of the River affecting reservoir operation, I feel that such a review will demonstrate the difficulty of making substantive changes which will increase flood control benefits without incurring a net decrease in total benefits of the system. In closing, I would like to once again express my sympathy for those who suffered damage from the flooding. At the same time, I would like to reiterate my support for the way the Bureau of Reclamation and other federal agencies handled the situation, and affirm the technical correctness of the 1983 operation of the Colorado River. It is Utah's position that the 1983 situation was extraordinary in nature, and does not warrant a change in the operating criteria and the current rules for management of the River. September 1, 1983 STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE PHILIP G. CLARK, MAYOR OF YUMA Honorable Congressman Udall and members of the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. I am appearing before you this morning representing the residents of the City of Yuma to apprise you of the impact of recent high water levels in the Colorado River upon our City. First, I would like to complement those Federal Agencies that have played a part in establishing Yuma's levee system. As anyone may easily recognize when viewing the water level beyond the levee, the City of Yuma would, indeed, be seriously affected were it not for the foresight in errecting this system. I would also like to publicly thank the Bureau of Reclamation for their assistance during our recent emergency situation. As to that situation, basically, we have been able to deal with events to date in a manner which effectively mitigated damage to the private sector except for those associated with rising groundwater. In the public sector, however, the high water has caused us to take a number of time critical steps. Among these are: the rapid construction and reconstruction of a levee to protect our City water plant source intake line; the requirement to commence pumping of treated wastewater to replace gravity flow; the blockage of our entire City storm drain system north of 8th Street to preclude high river water levels backing up through the drains; and replacement of a large section of sewer line whose failure was contributed to by infiltration of high groundwater. The City's Riverside Park is also impacted and completely underwater at this time with the extent of damage not known until the river returns to normal levels. To date, personnel and material costs amount to approximately $241,500, with an additional $259,000 committed. These costs do not take into account many hours spent by management and support staff. Of major continuing concern, however, is the even harder to assess at this time future deterioration to our community. For example, the real potential for major failures in the areas of water, sewer, and streets, should high river levels continue. Equally difficult to predict is the loss of investment in the affected areas. This potential loss is caused by the uncertainty of a variety of Federal Governmental actions and inactions including water release policies, river clearing and lowering, and mandates by the Federal Emergency Management Agency designating unjustifiably large areas of our City in the flood plain, and consequently, economically undevelopable. Rest assured, I do not portend to cast judgement on water rélease policies affected by a wide range of forces including weather. I do, however, feel that close scrutiny is warranted in those areas that the damages mentioned may be mitigated, i.e., closer working relationships/cooperation between Federal agencies and local government in establishing policies which affect the needs of and impact on the local community. As you may be aware, the City of Yuma has made numerous attempts to elicit cooperation in establishing a plan to deal with effective control of our river. Considering our current situation, I'm sure you agree, the time |