Memorandum Concerning Central Arizona Project

Document: Memorandum for the President, Central Arizona Project, Draft, April 1965 (photocopy), page 8either should be constructed. An important argument for authorizing Marble Canyon now is that the Federal Power Commission has a pending license application for a power project which it is likely to grant upon the expiration of a congressional moratorium for such a license expiring December 31, 1966. Because of the political importance to California of authorizing both dams, it might be possible to support authorization of a low dam at Bridge Canyon as well as Marble with the proviso that prior to construction further study should be given by the Secretary, with the help of an advisory group, as to the height of the dams and their precise location so as to minimize any damage to the natural beauty of the Canyon. What kind of study for future water needs should be made? The water shortage problem is a particularly serious problem for the long run future of California and the Pacific Southwest. It is an increasingly serious problem, however, for other areas as well--the Great Lakes area, the Southwest area, the upper New York area--are examples. Water is becoming an increasingly critical item in industrial development generally, particularly for possible new developments such as oil shale. During the next few years we should be in a much better position to assess these requirements as well as the potentialities of desalting, anti-pollution programs, and repricing to assure the most efficient use of water. In addition, there have been several long range proposals for -8-Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,562,937 byte