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Show 2. background information to Office of Management and Budget, Council on Environmental Quality, Water Resources Board, the White House, Senator Proxmire, Chairmen of Congressional Budget and Appropriations Committees, and other environmental groups. Our biggest "battle" has been with the Bureau of Reclamation in trying to get written answers to a cost questionnaire we wrote up and sent to Secretary Andrus in September. We still have had no answers provided! In early December, the Regional Director of the Bureau in Salt Lake City, called me and suggested, instead, that we meet there to "discuss" methods used by the Bureau to calculate costs. We know what these methods are.' We know what benefits they "prove". What we want is some answers to questions the way we ask-, them. Anyway, I have kept going back to Andrus and to Washington Administration and environmental people to put pressure on the Bureau to answer us. Three weeks ago, a 2" packet of statistics arrived from the Brreau in Washington - all raw cost data. I tried to get Professors in the Economics Department at the U.W. in Madison to help me evaluate this stuff, but the issues are too time consuming for busy people. So, I sent the packet to Kinghorn and he and others will assess it. Yesterday, still got a letter from the Bureau Director in SLC asking when we plan to meet; The truth is, we believe the Bonneville Unit has gone over the authorized cost ceiling and the Bureau will need to have re-authorization of the Project. I am in the process of determining this now. Also, the Bureau has made major plan changes and purpose proposals - so I am seeking information from Senators Jackson and Udall whether this situation requires re-authorization. (Please don't spread this information around.) Our Utah group seems now to be getting in gear - after some floundering around. The issues are so complicated and diverse that it is difficult to get a handle on how to deal with them. All environmental groups are meeting in Washington April 2 - 1 2 for a dam conference. At that time there will be appropriations hearings. I want so desperately to go, but my Utah group says we have no money to send people. This is a pity. Utah has to be heard. I think I'll ask the National Wildlife Federation for some aid in getting me there to testify. In spite of all Utah's environmental problems., I do love the State and miss being there more than I can describe. Last year I could look out Hollanders front window and see snowcapped mountains; this year I look out my back yard and see the old-tire-fence my back neighbor built to keep kids out of his big yard! Need I remind you how lucky you are? Please do write and let me know how the skiing goes this year. Mark got interested in Jackson but had no money to really get involved. (skiing) Folks, I sent you a book for Christmas. Did you ever receive it? I wondered if it would be safe in your mailbox - but took a chance. It was insured so can be replaced. Let me know. Affectionately, Mark's summer boss at Jenny Lake had a massive heart Dorothy attack the week before Christmas. Was in SLC hospital 3 weeks and is now back in Jackson Hospital. Mark's 2 closest men are hospitalizec |
