Letter Stating that Report from Mr. Dominy is Well Prepared

Letter: From S.E. Reynolds, State Engineer, State of New Mexico, to Floyd E. Dominy, September 8, 1961 (photocopy), page 3Mr. Floyd E. Dominy 3 September 8, 1961 Director's preliminary draft of the report, took the position that the Buttes Dam and Reservoir project should not be authorized until the decree has been entered in Arizona v California, et al. Those comments also pointed out that New Mexico must be given the opportunity to participate in the negotiation of the agreements that will have to be concluded as a basis for the establishment of project operating procedures. Your report includes the following recommendation: "6. Authorizing legislation provide that: (a) Construction of project works will not be initiated until: (1) Agreements satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior shall have been concluded between the States of Arizona and New Mexico regarding the uses of Gila River water and between the upper and lower valley water users under the Gila River Decree to establish coordinated reservoir operating criteria;" New Mexico appreciates the revision recognizing that the proposed project involves this state's interests. We concur in your finding that the proposed development is desirable either as an isolated unit or as a part of a comprehensive river basin plan, provided that appropriate agreements are concluded. It is essential that your recommendation, quoted above, be incorporated in the authorizing legislation. Your courtesy in furnishing the report for our comment is appreciated. Yours truly, S. E. Reynolds State EngineerEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,211,299 byte