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Show 12 DIXIE PROJECT, UTAH Counties was in 1919, and again in 1925 when detailed studies were made in this general area. Then again in 1935 I personally directed the water supply studies in Washington County and personally walked over many of the canal lines and visited the diversion points and checked out the reservoir site which would be involved in the development of this area. I have participated in and/ or directed studies of this region and the Dixie project in particular for more than 40 years, and I am familiar with the water supply and the hydrography of this region, the climate, its arable land, its irrigation companies, its water users and velocities. I am familiar with its economy, its potential development, its scenic wonders and its people and full development of its resources is dependent on water supply and on the electrical energy which comes from the falling water. Both of these will be provided by the Dixie project, its construction. The Dixie project is self- liquidating as has been pointed out, with some help from the power revenues. The local conservation district has gone five times as far as any other conservation district that I know of in authorizing a tax of 5 mills to help pay the cost of this project, and that indicates the intense belief and local support of the people. The users of the water will pay according to their ability, which is a sound economic principle. The increased water supply and power will attract industry. Supplemental water will bring in new land, provide for municipal water, attract tourists, the total of which means opportunity for the use of this land. The Dixie project is ready to go after more than 40 years of investigation. It is an integral part of the southwest water plan which encompasses in the end the total and complete consumptive use of water resources of this great southwest. It can be built now. The plans are ready. Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are agreed principally on the plan. Total users of the water of the Virgin River in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada will not substantially reduce the flow in Colorado below Lee Ferry, because little of that flow, relatively little, gets there now, because free vegetation gets much of it, and as Mr. Lloyd has pointed out, only a very small percentage of the total flow of the Colorado is involved in the Virgin River, anyway. There is no justifiable reason why the Dixie project should not be given appropriation in the fiscal year 1965. Mr. Chairman, I am gratified that you and members of your committee have found it possible to come to Utah. It means much to me, and to the people of southern Utah, that you have in the best democratic fashion brought the legislative arm of government to the people. We are keenly appreciative of your visit for yet another reason: the subject of your hearings, the Dixie project, is a necessary and vital element of our future in this section, and in the entire State. I can think of nothing more appropriate than for you the hear the voices of these hardworking, sincere and perserverent people, and to meet them in their natural setting- this colorful and rich land. We all take great pride, Mr. Chairman, that one of our Utah Congressmen has been made a member of your important committee. As you may know Congressman Laurence Burton served me and the people of this State as my right- hand man before his election to Congress. I know you have learned to appreciate him, as all those who work with him do. |