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Show DIXIE PROJECT, UTAH 5 ernment assistance in the form of a loan to develop this area for the benefit of the entire Nation. I have prepared a short summary of this proposed project, including the location, the purposes, the benefits to be derived, together with the cost and economic problems. I request permission, Mr. Chairman, to include this in the record. DIXIE PROJECT SUMMARY The land and location to be served directly by the Dixie project are in southwestern Utah, principally in Washington and Iron Counties, in the vicinity of the Virgin and Santa Clara Rivers. The surrounding area will also receive many direct benefits that will naturally arise from this bonanza to Washington and adjacent counties in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. The purposes of the project are fivefold: 1. To provide adequate water to 11,615 acres of land not now under irrigation; supplemental irrigation water to 9,445 acres of presently developed land; 5,000 acre- feet of water to the city of St. George annually for domestic purposes ( this water will be supplied from the Virgin City Reservoir); and 8,000 acre- feet annually to Cedar City for domestic purposes pursuant to existing agreement. 2. Provide adequate drainage on land now with too high a water table and with an excessive collection of surface water. 3. Control floods and prevent drought. 4. Provide the needed electrical energy in the southwestern corner of Utah. 5. Provide a substantial increase in fisheries benefits, and some increase in wildlife benefits, together with an unlimited potential in the field of recreation. Aside from the water needs and water storage facilities, which are considered to be the primary needs of the project area, a shortage of electric power at reasonable rates presents a problem in connection with both expansion of existing industrial operations and also in bringing new industry into the area. This, in turn, is reflected in the overall employment opportunities, a lack of which have been largely responsible for an almost static population in Washington County for the past 20 years. Under present plans, three powerplants will be constructed in the Dixie project. To fulfill these needs, the three plants will be located as follows: 1. The Virgin powerplant, to be located on the south bank of the Virgin River immediately below the Virgin City Dam. 2. The Bench Lake powerplant, to be located on the main canal at the foot of the Bench Lake escarpment. 3. The Warner powerplant, to be located along the main canal at the foot of the Warner Ridge near the site of the present diversion dam, from the St. George and Washington Canal. As a general rule, the economic justification of constructing a Bureau of Reclamation project is determined by making a comparison of the benefits which will accrue from the services provided with the cost of constructing the project features. The benefit- cost ratio of the Dixie project has been computed by the Bureau of Reclamation to be 2.1 to |