OCR Text |
Show was predicated on the basis that the appropriation should be made to the Bureau of Reclamation so that the total costs of the Upper Colorado River storage project can be accurately accounted for. The Committee has included language in the bill to provide for the use of $2,200,000 of available funds for recreational and fish and wildlife facilities during fiscal year 1962. This is a reduction of $500,000 in the budget request. The total program is estimated to cost in the vicinity of $41,000,000 but has not been planned in detail. The Committee feels that a more modest start is appropriate until all planning is completed and the details of the program can be considered by the Congress." The Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21, 1961 adjourned its hearings on reclamation projects subject to the call of the Chairman. It was not until September 14th that it resumed its hearings on appropriations for transmission lines for the Colorado River Storage Project. On September 20, 1961 the Senate Committee reported favorably a bill containing the same total funds as the House passed bill, $55,468,000, for the Storage Project. However, the Senate Committee recommended reprograming part of the funds by stating in its Report No. 1097, 87th Congress, First Session, the following: "Glen Canyon unit, Arizona-Utah.-The committee concurs with the action of the House disallowing the $10 million requested to initiate construction of protective works for the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This recommendation is consistent with the one made last year and approved by the Congress. Again information was given to the committee indicating that no structural damage would occur to the bridge as a result of the waters of Lake Powell entering the monument. The estimate for the protective works is $25 million, to which would have to be added annual appropriations estimated at $14,000 for operation and maintenance of the works. "Recreational and fish and wildlife facilities, $3,433,500.-The committee recommends that of available funds, $2,500,000 be transferred to the National Park Service for development of recreational facilities in the Upper Colorado River Basin Reservoir area sites as proposed by the Department; and $240,500 for the construction of the following boat and landing facilities for access to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument: three floating units, to include a ranger office, comfort station, and housing, $90,000; one floating dock, $10,000; a trail from the dock to the bridge, $55,000; picnic facilities, $10,500; and sewer, water, and power systems, $75,000. The committee believes that if facilities of this kind are made available, the monument, even though isolated in rugged terrain, can be enjoyed by a larger number of people. Information furnished to the committee is that since the monument was first designated in 1909, only slightly more than 13,000 people have visited it. "$693,000 is to be transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service to be used as follows: $72,000 for eradication of rough fish in the 42 |