OCR Text |
Show well be that there is particular need at this time to remind everyone that the Upper Colorado River Commission expects wholehearted support for its objectives from both major parties; and that the desirability of early development of the water resources of the Upper Colorado River Basin is not and must not be allowed to become a political issue. Proposed policies and legislation that might create conditions unfavorable to development of the water resources of the Upper Colorado River Basin have been opposed and will continue to be opposed by the Commission. Thus, representatives of the Commission, in conference with officials of the Bureau of the Budget, have made clear the Commission's opposition to the creation of a Federal Commission for the Upper Colorado River Basin (Appendix A). They have also advised the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the Commission's desire to be heard, in the event that Committee or any sub-committee thereof should undertake the consideration of H. R. 5023 "A BILL-To prohibit the construction, operation or maintenance of any project for the storage or delivery of water within or affecting any national park or monument." The Commission has endeavored to follow a statesmanlike, balanced and objective policy with respect to proposed legislation and policies tending to affect relationships with other Colorado River Basin States. No better evidence of the Commission's desire for the friendliest relations with all States of the Colorado River community is needed than that which is found in the Commission's attitude on the Central Arizona project and in its open espousal of authorization of the second barrel of the San Diego Aqueduct. See Appendices B and C, respectively, for the clearest expression of the Commission's position in these matters. An example of the Commission's concern for completeness of approach to the problem of basin-wide development is the resolution (Appendix D) urging upon the Congress appropriations adequate to enable established agencies of the Federal Government to carry out their functions within the Upper Colorado River Basin. This resolution was read recently before the Interior Sub-Committee of the House Committee on Appropriations. That it is being properly construed by agencies of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government is indicated by a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture (Appendix E). The Commission, finally, has sought to encourage, but without gratuitous interference, the solution within Colorado and New Mexico, respectively, of problems affecting apportionment within them of the use of waters of the Colorado River System and affecting also, |