Statement of Stewart L. Udall, Secretary of the Interior

Document: Statement of Stewart Udall before the subcommittee on Irrigation & Reclamation, March 14, 1967, page 6in the direction of recognizing the national nature of the water problems which we all know exist. Another aspect of regional development involves the creation of a Lower Colorado River Development Fund. Establishment of such a fund was recommended in our report on H.R. 4671 last year. It was essential, under previous proposals, to the financial integrity of the Central Arizona Project. Our present proposal for the Central Arizona Project, which I shall discuss later, eliminates its dependence on a development fund for financial assistance. However, should the Congress desire to establish such a development fund to provide financial assistance for future water projects for the lower basin, the Administration offers no objection. Legislative language designed to accomplish this objective is included with our report on H.R. 3300. Substantial questions related to the comprehensive development of the Colorado River, both as to propriety and necessity, are involved in determining whether main stream dams should be built at either the Marble Canyon or Hualapai sites. This has been one of the most controversial issues involved in Colorado River Basin Project legislation. Our report on H.R. 4671 supported authorization of the Marble Canyon Dam while recommending that decision on Hualapai Dam be deferred pending review by the National Water Commission. 6Epson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 827,209 byte