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Show DIXIE PROJECT, UTAH H7 Local support for the Dixie project has, as I mentioned prior in my statement, been active for more than 25 years. Since the original conservancy districts were set up in 1941, far too much time had elapsed for them to still be of legal significance. Therefore, we have now completed creation of a new conservancy district which provides for a tax levy of 5 mills. As you know, this is almost double the average mill levy imposed upon a county for a conservancy district. In spite of this, over 90 percent of the people available, in Washington County voted in support of the mill levy. Mr. Chairman, although the Virgin River is an interstate tributary, it nonetheless is classified as a captive stream. When the project is completed it will hold back only 0.076 percent of the total waters of the Colorado River. In summary, Mr. Chairman, let me say that the people of Utah are in desperate need of the Dixie project. Their economy and, in fact, their very lives and continual growth, depends upon its development and, thus upon your actions. The Bureau of Reclamation has given the Dixie project highest priority and considers it to be " one of the most economically feasible projects." In southern Utah there is no more urgent problem on the lips of our citizens than water development. The Southwestern United States abounds with countless resources. The very heart of this area may, in years to come, become America's great treasure chest. Unfortunately, it will never reach that ultimate goal unless we are granted that basic commodity- water. On behalf of the people who nurtured this project for so many years, the Dixie Project & Development Association, I respectfully but urgently request your wholehearted endorsement of this bill. Mr. BARLOCKER. I would like to open myself for questions, rather than to make any statement. I am here officially as the mayor of St. George, president of the Dixie Project Association, and chairman of the conservancy district set up by the district judge of Utah. I might mention the cost of water that was brought up this morning. The city of St. George now uses approximately 3,000 acre- feet of water. We are buying under this contract, 5,000. There will be water there we will not use until the time comes that we can utilize that water. Our present costs are only about 78 cents per thousand gallons, amortized on a 20- year basis. Mr. ROGERS. Where do you get this water ? Mr. BARLOCEER. This water is all spring water and does not have to be treated, except 1 point per million chlorinization. Mr. ROGERS. YOU own your own waterworks in the city of St. George? Mr. BARLOCKER. Yes, sir, we have our own water, but I might point out that the entire county is sitting on what is known as the Hurricane Fault. It is made up of volcanic rock and gyp. Consequently we have never been able to get any wells in the area for supplemental water and we are to the maximum at this point with the springs in the immediate area, so that if we are to grow and to have additional water, it must come from a new source, and we are hoping that this is our source of supply. 36- 351- 64 9 |