Letter Concerning Development of the Lower Colorado Basin

Letter: From John J. Rhodes, to Warren W. Butler, February 24, 1965 (thermofax), page 2Mr. Warren W. Butler February 24, 1965 How ludicious it would be if, using federal money, California were able to brings water in from the northern part of the state, or to desalinize sea water ater, for use along the coast, and then to increase its diversion of Colorado Rive rwater into the Imperial Valley by use of water which otherwise would have gone to the coast. I am sure that neigher you nor any other right-thinking Californian expects Arizona representatives to allow this to happen. The provision that the additional water must 'be put in the mainstream" in my opinion, puts the entire burden on the back of Arizona to acquire water by massive importation. Cilifornia can instead divert northern or desalinized water directly to the seacoast areas, and leave Arizona high and dry. You may feel that I am overly suspicious, but since as you state, you have dealt with the matters, of the Colorado River water for over 47 years, you can understand perhaps why there may be grounds for Arizonans to be suspicious of Californians, and regretfully, vice versa. If CAlifornia really desires to join Ariszona in this quest for supplemtntal water, why do you not give up the idea of the guarantee entirely? Then we would really all be in the same boat, and could either sink or swim together. Yours sincerley, JJR:CEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 1,723,848 byte