Show I From the Office of Sen Frank Moss Senator Frank E E. E Moss said Monday that he is s sponsoring co-sponsoring a bill to facilitate the production production production tion of underground water by making use of oC dry holes drilled drilled drilled led by oil exploration companies compan compan- ies jog on the public lands Thousands of oil and gas wells arc are drilled every year in inthe inthe the Western States Senator Moss said Most of oC these donot do donot donot not produce oil or gas but many of them are capable of producing water he said and added But this water potential poten poten- tin has not been developed because because because be be- cause there is no established development program or provision provision provi provi- sion sian for Cor financing Senator Moss said the bill in essence does two things 1 Where surface rights are vatel owned if ir provides that the owner be notified that a well weH capable of producing water has been drilled on the land and it authorizes negotiations between the oil operator and the owner osner of oC the surface rights fights If fI the owner ownen own own- er en wishes to acquire the casing needed to pro produce luce water 2 If the surface title rests with the United States the Sec Sec- of oC the Interior is authorized authorized author author- to buy the well casing install in in- stall additional equipment and contract to sell the water produced produced pro pro- for enough to recover the Governments Government's investment Much oil all exploration takes place in the very areas where water is the shortest Senator Moss said We must fully explore explore ex ex- this method of developing de underground water supplies for these arid regions he said |