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Show U . . ' : u . . 1 i i I" 'l;im;Uion Cliiof Urin'-.s Out TJoncfits to I'tah Lands in I ' I v to Senator Kind's Questions on Iloni-ina; for Separate Appropriation to Complete Work. U'ASHIXGTONT The proposed Colo;-pr!o river Great basin project was described here as "one of the most important impor-tant which has appeared in connection with the general survey of the Colorado river basin." Thin was tho statement of Com-mis.siuiicr Com-mis.siuiicr John C. Page of the U. S. bureau of reclamation as he replied to quest inns of Senator William II. KlriK of Utah in a senate committee commit-tee hearluK on a bill to authorize J75.000 for continuing investigation work. Tho project itself contemplates taking water from the upper Colorado Colo-rado river basin and transporting it across the Wasatch mountains to irrigable areas in Utah's valleys. As an Integral part of the project, euggested by the Colorado River-Oreat River-Oreat Basin Water Users Associa- and the generation of power from dams on the river, and a trans-mountain trans-mountain diversion at an altitude of some 7000 feet, permitting the water to go through power plants on the way down to the high class Irrigable lands. Some of them are already irrigated in the Salt Lake basin. It involves recapturing a large part, perhaps 50 per cent of the power which is not needed for the original pumping, and distributing distrib-uting it where settlement has been for a long period in progress and where very high agricultural production pro-duction is possible if an adequate tion. power also would be developed for Utah Industries. Mr. Page's testimony was given ; Inte In April. Of Interest to Utah citizens are these highlights: Mr. Page: "As to the first point, there has been a tentative allotment allot-ment of $50,000 from the funds for the general Investigation of reclamation recla-mation projects, allotted to this . undertaking. That, of course. Is expendable over the next two years, and we have in mind at least meeting meet-ing all the state funds which are available during the two-year period from the appropriations made available avail-able for general investigations under un-der the reclamation law. That Is the reason why the department, I think, reported adversely on this particular bill, In that there is sufficient suf-ficient legislative authority for appropriations ap-propriations to carry on this type of Investigation." Senator King: "The department !s In favor of the investigation, Is it not?" Mr. Page: "This Is one of the most imnortant projects which have appeared In connection with the general survey of the Colorado river basin authorized by" the act, and as sueh it certainly should he studied to the point where we know the facts concerning it. Surveys In Progress "Ynti perhaps remember that the water supply is available. "As a matter of fact, Utah Is In a position where, unless some such thing as this is done, it has pretty well reached the limits of its agricultural agri-cultural possibilities. They have pretty well developed In Utah all the irrigation possibilities, and as a consequence those areas are in many cases over populated; that Is. the holdings are too small for successful suc-cessful farming operations; and only by augmenting their water supply and promotiiig the production produc-tion of more intensive crops can they maintain their present population popu-lation and maintain their present economic prosperity. Careful Investigation "So that a project such as this, whose benefits would be so widespread, wide-spread, should be studied carefully because of the general benefit to the state of Utah in stabilizing and augmenting their agricultural possibilities." pos-sibilities." Senator King: "In making these studies I assume it will involve a study of the waters of the Colorado river in any of the upper basin states, including Colorado?" Mr. Page: "The general survey of the Colorado river basin contemplates contem-plates a careful investigation of all possibilities in the Colorado river basin, and this is one of the major features which -have appeared in the state of Utah. Most of the others are of relatively small importance. im-portance. There are a few small projects in eastern Utah but. generally gen-erally sneaking, the soil quality is not such as to justify any large expenditure ex-penditure on them." Senator King: "Your Investigations Investiga-tions have demonstrated, have they net. that there are larsre areas of very fine agricultural lar which v.-ouM bo rerverl if tins project were to go through?" Mr. Page: "Oh, yes. There is much more land in central and : western Utah than we can hope to get water for out of the Colorado river." Senator King: "So that if water were obtained for the lands to which you have inst reformri I act directed the bureau to prepare B summary or an Inventory of the irrigation and pnwor po--:ibilities in the Colorado river basin. That work has been going on fnr several yea'-s; anil as this is a feature, it should be studied in connection Willi the general snmmr.ry. Actually Actual-ly the surveys are in progress, and rivl surveys in the vicinity of r.ieh-tieM r.ieh-tieM ard rp'.!a and other places in TTL'h l'avr- been I'rerescine: Suite ran'dly in tho territory which would be served by this proposed trnnemotmtain diversion. "1 ikowise there have been a number of sluilies made on the diversions di-versions from etttht pvosnoptive sites on the Green nnrl Yampa rivers at tho origin of this aoue-duc!. aoue-duc!. Tlxwo include gen'-ranhical studies eC various sites tor tunnel homes could' be made for a large' j number of people?" S Mr. Page: "Yes; thousands of people. As I sav, the agricultural development of Utah is about at its climax. There are not manv places where water can be made available to improve the conditions." Senator King: "This appropriation appropria-tion which is being sought bv this bill is necessary and would be for the advantage of the upper basin states and would aid in determining determin-ing just where power and irriga- tion projects are feasible and might- 5 be constructed?" Mr. Paga: "Yes. I think that I much more than the amount sped- 3 fied in this bill is needed for that purpose in the upper basin states, f This is or. 9 part of the general pro- a gram which we hope to have ade- I quately financed by approprfcuion under the general authority." ron,ir;irnon. s.i that actual'.- the surveys are well iiviiated and. in fact are making good progress. The state, through impropriation, made available ?02.oOO for this project for tho two-year P' 'od. and we welcome the onportunity to meet stale money, because we obtain two dollars' worth of work with one dollar's worth of federal expense; ex-pense; and we have the definite policy that wherever states make money available in that way they nave a preferential status in the study ef the projects in such state, and for that reason wo contemplate contem-plate carrying on as fast as it can be cfU-iemly done with the funds whu-h available. "The project !lelf Involves finite a con-nrciiensivo pro.trari. The ira-i i'i-is: rates what is pronased. 1'' ia rrct'r h!H pulping lift at to.e C "o:-e(M river, for storage j |