project for the storage and distribution of San Juan floodwaters for the benefit of the residents and landowners of San Juan and adjacent counties, including the Navajo Tribe of Indians.

I would appreciate the favor if you would let me know by Monday, June 3, whether this interpretation of your statements to the Senate committee is correct.

Yours sincerely,

DENNIS CHAVEZ, United States Senator.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION,
Washington, June 4, 1940.

Hon. DENNIS CHAVEZ,

United States Senate.

DEAR SENATOR CHAVEZ: Your letter of June 1, 1940, asked me to amplify and confirm the statement which I made before the Senate Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation holding hearings on S. 4039.

The details of the statement which you included in your letter are substantially in accordance in accordance with my understanding and intention in introducing this testimony. I prefaced my remarks by stating that complete information on all the details of the proposed San Juan-Rio Chama diversion was not available, but from the information which had been gathered this appeared to be the major opportunity for New Mexico to obtain Colorado River water, and that the diversion to the Rio Chama would remedy a deficiency in the water supply of the Rio Grande Valley. We have not attempted to indicate where this imported water could best be used in New Mexico, but there is definitely a deficiency in the water supply of the middle Rio Grande Valley.

Our studies indicate that approximately 350,000 acre-feet could be diverted to the Rio Chama, after retaining in the San Juan River sufficient water to supply a large development in San Juan and other adjacent counties in New Mexico, including the Navajo Indian Reservation.

I estimated that $50,000 would be sufficient to obtain definite information on which concrete estimates could be made for this project, and that early completion of this investigation would be desirable. My statement constituted a promise that whenever the program would permit and funds were provided, the investigation of the San Juan-Rio Chama would be completed and that at the same time there should be studied the necessary storage works on the San Juan River for the benefit of the adjacent area.

I trust this will furnish the information you desire.

Very truly yours,

JOHN C. PAGE, Commissioner.

(Whereupon, at 11:50 a. m., the committee adjourned.)