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Show A132 APPENDIX 214 flood situation, or both, will force development upon the lower river. Then our real opportunity for a protecting agreement will have passed. Presented to this Legislature is a comparatively simple workable agreement that will protect Wyoming interests in the water supply of the Colorado River. Let the Compact speak largely for itself through its provisions that must on the whole be clear to all who study the essential facts. For your consideration, however, I take the liberty to present the following general conclusions that are clearly apparent to me in relation to the Compact: The Upper States, by the allocation of 7,500,000 acre-feet of water for annual use, have reserved to them for all future time an amount of water sufficient for all requirements. The Upper Basin is now enjoying a use of water exceeding 2,000,000 acre-feet. This amount never reaches Lee Ferry. The Upper States are only agreeing to allow to pass Lee Ferry less than one-half the amount that now actually reaches that point. The Upper States will have the privilege of once diverting all of the over 18,000,000 acre-feet of water supplied by the Upper Basin, and the return flow alone from this amount will provide the entire delivery at Lee Ferry; under the provisions of the Compact it will be noted that the Lower Basin is only assured the amount of 7,500,000 acre-feet at Lee Ferry. By reason of the extent of our possibilities of development as compared with water supply furnished, Wyoming is in a very advantageous position by reason of being one of the group of four Upper States. According to figures presented by Colorado, based upon very liberal estimates of their future possibilities, that State will contribute 8,400,000 acre-feet of water per annum after all future requirements are satisfied. This amount alone would more than satisfy the delivery at Lee Ferry. The menace coming from the development of great power projects upon the river below Wyoming will be removed, as under the Compact power will have no call on the use of water exercised in this State. Navigation rights that might otherwise be asserted by the Wrar or some other Department of our national government would not interfere with our water supply. Such a situation as the Pathfinder Reservoir created upon the North Platte River would not be repeated upon the Colorado. Wyoming would be in position to avoid the spending of large sums of money and years in the courts in an interstate water suit upon the Colorado River, such as we have experienced upon the Laramie. Generally speaking, Wyoming would continue the full enjoyment of our own good laws and practice within our State and at the same time not suffer from embargo or interference from without. |
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Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : |