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Show Letter Supports Colorado River Water Project (The folowing letter was sent to Washington, D. C, for the hearing hear-ing April 3 when Utah's case for construction of the Echo Park reservoir res-ervoir will be presented by a delegation del-egation of four from the Colorado River Basin -Development committee. commit-tee. A resolution was passed endorsing en-dorsing this move at the Millard county Democratic convention in Fillmore Saturday, March 25.) The Honorabe Oscar L. Chapman Secretary of the Interior Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Chapman: Thanks very much for your favor fav-or regarding the public hearing, also the facts relating to the proposed pro-posed constructing of dams in the Dinosaur National Monument. We in the upper basin of the Colorado river state are very much concerned' as to how and where we are to hold and properly use the allotment of our proportion of the waters of said drainage. The great basin, which comprises compris-es nearly all of Utah, is a very arid section. Salt Lake City, which I understand is to participate in the use of these waters, is now suffering because of lack of wat- er; then all of Utah, Juab and Millard Mil-lard counties will utilize the balance. bal-ance. The towns, hamlets and villages vil-lages in nearly all, if not all, the great basin are located on small mountain streams. The growth of same is dependent on the flow of water from these creeks or streams. At this date there is very little, if any, further expansion for these towns. In Millard county, in which the towns of Leamington, Lynndyl, Del ta, Hinckley, Oasis( Deseret, Scipio Holden, Fillmore, Kanosh and Meadow are situated, no further expansion can be recorded until a greater supply of water is provided. pro-vided. With the advent of Colorado river riv-er water (and this cannot be made possible only by government aid) more than 500,000 acres of fertile but parched lands can be utilized for production and homes for the vast army of young people looking for just such. There are people even here in Utah who are looking for playgrounds play-grounds and would not consent to have their pleasures interferred with. These same people neither toil nor spin; their raiment is provided; pro-vided; the food they eat is carried to them. With a state loaded with scenic beauty and grandeur, they would not .consent to a nrrmnsition loaded with opportunity for the struggling masses, should it in any way interfere with their pleasures. pleasur-es. The National Park Service may be commended for their zeal in creating just such. However, we who are sold to the idea of developing de-veloping the resources to the advantage ad-vantage of the general public should have priority; in other words, should be given the right of way. We have the Great Salt Lake (an inland sea), Utah Lake, Fish Lake, Panguitch Lake. Bryce Canyon then the source of every stream and canyon in the great basin is a scenic retreat. Let me urge you; Mr. Secretary, that no stone be unturned that will give us water. Our crying need is water, water and more water. Should you eastern people feel kindly disposed towards us in our cry of distress, we will repay you ten thousand times for your generosity gen-erosity in playgrounds and a commonwealth com-monwealth of which you will be justly proud. At present the various civic organizations or-ganizations are much disorganized preparing for spring work, so I take this liberty in imposing on you to assure you and the meeting I voice the sentiment of the general gen-eral public. Respectfully, John E. Steele |
