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per irrigated acre (depending on the system, the year and the crops grown), these water organizations have continued to meet their water supply obligations with only infrequent interruptions for the last 50 years and the systems have been operated and upgraded continuously on a fiscally sound basis.

The various water supply organizations in the Grand Valley generally support the concept of H.R. 12165, but believe some modification of the language in Section 202 (2) should be made or that the apparent conflict between Sections 202 and 205 (1) should be clarified. Requiring by law (Section 202 (2)) that canals and ditches be combined into fewer facilities could cause many legal, financial and operational problems where the various systems are separately owned and operational procedures have been long established. There should be language in the bill which would assure protection of existing property rights and continued autonomy of individual companies if they so desire. The requirements that the local companies and associations assume all obligations for operation, maintenance and achievement of maximum salinity reduction in the Colorado River could place an unlimited and unreasonable financial burden on the various water organizations. Unexpected failures could occur in expensive concrete linings and structures, requiring repair or replacement at private expense, or it might be arbitrarily determined that "maximum" salinity reduction was not being achieved and additional expenditures of unspecified magnitude could be required. To minimize these uncertainties and because Colorado River salinity is a basin wide problem and the guarantee to Mexico expressed in Minute 242 of the Boundary & Water Commission is a federal obligation, we urge that the Subcommittee add amendatory language that the water users costs for operation and maintenance I will not be increased.

We believe it should be emphasized that residents of the Grand Valley will realize benefits from this legislation only to the extent that operatiog expenses are reduced or total crop yields increased by bringing marginal lands into full production. They stand to gain nothing and could suffer potential loss through the retention of salts in the soil beneath presently productive fields.

Farming commenced in the Grand Valley in 1882, and was well established before any other appreciable irrigation was practiced in the Colorado River Basin; before there was a Colorado River Compact or a "law of the river" or any salinity problem. While the farmers of the valley share the national concern for the quality of water in the Colorado River, they do not believe they should bear a disproportionate share of the cost of corrective measures or enter into agreements which could jeopardize their livelihood.

CLARK COUNTY, NEV., BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, RESOLUTION ENDORSING FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Whereas, the Nevada State Legislature, in Chapter 790 of the Statutes of Nevada 1973, recognized there may be alternative solutions to pollution abatement in the Las Vegas Wash-Lake Mead area and, further, specifically stated it was the intention of the Legislature that those charged with the responsibility of correcting the water quality problem of Lake Mead to avail themselves of all assistance that may develop through advances in technology and changing circumstances and regulations, Federal or State, that have an impact on the problem; and

Whereas, the above legislation also set forth a Clark County Sewage and Waste Water Advisory Committee which is authorized to diligently inform itself as to all laws, matters, and things which may be of significance in maintaining the consequent purity of water within the County, and to advise the Clark County Board of County Commissioners of conditions which, in the judgment of the Advisory Committee, require action by the Board; and

Whereas, the Clark County Sewage and Waste Water Advisory Committee has advised the Board of County Commissioners concerning the objectives of S. 2940 and H.R. 12165 now before the 93rd Congress and desires the Board to endorse enactment of the comprehensive Federal salinity control legislation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Clark County Board of County Commissioners urges adoption of S. 2940 and H. R. 12165 by Congress and urges the Federal government to enter into implementation of a comprehensive, immediate, and continuing salinity control program for the Colorado River; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Senator Alan Bible; Senator Howard W. Cannon; Representative David G. Towell; Governor Mike O'Callaghan; Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. Morton; Senator Frank Church, Chairman of the Water and Power Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; and Representative Harold T. Johnson, Chairman of the Water and Power Resources Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Passed, adopted and approved this 28th day of February, 1974.

Attest:

TOM WIESNER, Chairman.

LORETTA BOWMAN, County Clerk.

Mr. JOHNSON. If there is no further testimony to be given this morning, the subcommittee stands adjourned.

[Whereupon, at 12:15 p.m., the Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.)

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