SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS Senator HATFIELD. The subcommittee will be in recess until 10 a.m. tomorrow, when it will reconvene in room 216 of the Hart Building. [Whereupon, at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 29.] ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met at 10:07 a.m., in room SH-216, Hart Senate Office Building, Hon. Dennis DeConcini presiding. Present: Senators Burdick, DeConcini, Garn, Cochran, Domenici, and Specter; also present: Senators Conrad, Danforth, McCain, and Pressler. NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN MCCAIN, U.S. SENATOR FROM ARIZONA Senator MCCAIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome all of our friends from Arizona here today. I might say that there are too many that we would individually recognize who are here in the room, but I think it is important, of course, to welcome our beloved Governor Rose Mofford and Mr. Bill Plummer, director, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tom Clark, secretary of the water conservation district and so many others who for so many, many years have played a vital role in ensuring that this magnificent Central Arizona Project is nearing its completion. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make very important mention of your support, commitment and indeed, vital role that you have played. It is not only your position as a very important member of the Appropriations Committee, but your outstanding work both in committee and on the floor of the Senate that have been, I think, very important in seeing us to where we are. As you well know, Mr. Chairman, we need a little more money. I believe that the administration's request of $198 million is what you will be considering. Obviously, we all are in very strong support of it. The administration's request also contains crucial funding for safety of dams work and a number of important flood control projects necessary to protect human life and property in Arizona. I will not take any more of your time, Mr. Chairman. You have some very important witnesses, not the least of which is our distinguished Governor. Thank you, again, for allowing me to say a few words and thank you, again, for your outstanding efforts on behalf of this vital project. Thank you, Senator. Senator DECONCINI. Thank you. I know you have other commitments as a member of the Armed Services Committee, so when you have to leave, just feel free to do. Governor, it is a pleasure to welcome you here. I share this opportunity to chair this hearing. I have chaired other ones, not for the Central Arizona Project, but for Chairman Johnston and the staff of this committee. Governor, it is kind of an emotional time for me to say that this will be the last time as Governor of Arizona that you will appear before this committee. You have done so now on a number of occasions. You have served our State for a long, long time. Fifty years is a long time for anybody to do public service. You have done so in such an exemplary manner. I do not believe anyone in the history of Arizona, Senator Osborne or anyone else, will ever match the contribution you have made. I am saddened at that fact that you are leaving public office, but we know in Arizona that Rose Mofford will be a contributor all her life and will continue to help. You have long been a personal friend of mine and my family, and I am most grateful. I tell people all the time, when I went to work in the capitol for Governor Doddard, it was Rose Mofford who told me not only where the men's room was but how to get along with the legislature, with the attorney general, and other people there who were of other parties, and so I want to extend a warm welcome. Before I have you give your statement, Governor, let me just read a statement into the record here regarding several projects we want to take up today. CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT As I stated on a number of occasions, my highest priority since coming to the U.S. Senate has been completion of the Central Arizona Project. I worked with Senator Goldwater for 10 years on that, Members of the House of Representatives and with Senator McCain since he came in 1986. This project brings the Colorado River water to the cities and farmlands of Arizona in order that we may prosper and grow as we have in the past. Thanks to the continued support of this committee and the administration as well as the hard work of many in this room who have labored for years and years and years. Mr. Plummer just told me that he was here when it was first authorized by the Government and has worked on it ever since, so I am especially pleased with the $198 million in funding request for the Central Arizona Project in the fiscal year 1991 budget. By allowing the Bureau to work at full capacity on this project, the administration has demonstrated a real commitment to see that it is completed on schedule and our goal of water in Tucson by 1991 is met. OTHER ARIZONA WATER RESOURCE PROJECTS I am also pleased with the level of funding requested for the safety of dams work in Arizona. The Department recognizes the need to ensure that these structures are brought up to national standards in a timely fashion in order to protect the people downstream. The $5 million that has been requested for Coolidge Dam is especially worthwhile and very important. These funds will allow the renovation of this structure to proceed at full speed. With respect to the Corps of Engineers' budget request, it is also for the most part favorable to Arizona. I am especially pleased that the President's request includes funding for the Rillito River project in Pinal County. This is something that I have worked a long time with, and quite frankly, we would not have it, if it was not for the fact that Mr. Darman, the OMB Director has been cooperative with this particular flood project. In this area, however, we need to get the Clifton flood control project authorized and funded. The amount included in last year's bill will allow the Corps to complete preconstruction engineering and design pending the authorization and the appropriation of funding so construction can commence on the project sometime in 1991, hopefully. I am pleased that the Clifton project was included in the 1990 water resource bill when it was introduced in the Senate. Also, I intend to work with my colleagues on this committee to secure the funding that will allow the Corps to proceed with this long-awaited and much-needed project. The Clifton flood control project has long been a priority of this, Senator, and I am anxious to see it completed. Lastly, I am very pleased to see that the administration has requested $23.8 million for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa settlement. This amount satisfies the Federal Government's outstanding obligation under the settlement reached. I am pleased to see that the administration is committed to fulfilling its obligations in a timely manner. While it does not come under this committee's jurisdiction, it affects many of the projects that we fund. I look forward to working with the committee and particularly, Senator Johnston, who has been a real friend of Arizona, and Senator Hatfield of Oregon who has stood with us under many, many difficult times on behalf of the Central Arizona Project. Governor, you may proceed in any way you like, and the floor ist yours. STATEMENT OF HON. ROSE MOFFORD, GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA ACCOMPANIED BY WILLIAM PLUMMER, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES Governor MoFFORD. Thank you. Let me thank you for those kind remarks that were made. It is with regret I will not be attending the next meeting; however, I will continue to be a strong supporter of the Central Arizona Project. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate this opportunity to appear before you once again to urge support of ap propriations for the water resource projects which affect the State of Arizona. My comments to you today will be brief. I have, however, brought more detailed written testimony with me and have submitted it for your consideration. I am gratified that I am able to once again give testimony concerning Arizona water needs. WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT Responsible water conservation and management are a vital part of the existence of our State. Over the past several decades we have taken this responsibility seriously and have enacted a comprehensive ground water management code. I have also asked the legislature to enact measures that will enhance our already stringent water conservation laws. Arizona communities are continuing to contribute on their own to the efficient and effective use of our water. They are continuing to plan and construct facilities which will unable them to use water that is supplied by the Central Arizona Project. These cities have already expended or committed more than $200 million for new treatment plants and related distribution systems. Agricultural users have also expended substantial funds and made commitments to use Central Arizona Project water. Over 700 miles of distribution systems and pipelines have been completed on a cost-sharing program with the Bureau of Reclamation. However, as you all know, conservation alone will not bring enough water to a State that is for a large part an arid desert land. It is for that reason that our efforts continue to be directed to the completion of the Central Arizona Project, and this includes dam safety features on the Salt, Verde, and Agua Fria Rivers. The major feature of this project is the aqueduct which when completed and will run from Lake Havasu to Tucson, AZ. Of the planned 336 miles of this aqueduct system, 296 miles are operational and 34 miles are currently under construction. Construction of the final 5 miles of aqueduct will begin this year. Delivery of water to Tucson will substantially reduce ground water pumping. It will also preclude potential Federal penalties which would be incurred by nondelivery of water to the San Xavier and Tohono O'odham Reservations. PLAN 6 ACTIVITIES In addition, we must continue the work done under plan 6. The projects designated by this plan include the construction of the New Waddell Dam on the Agua Fria River, which is nearing the halfway point in its construction. Progress continues to be made on the safety of dams modification of the six dams on the Salt and Verde Rivers. These structures contain reservoirs which provide the surface water supply for the Phoenix metropolitan area. We must also satisfy Federal obligations detailed in the Indian water rights settlement and guarantee the delivery of water to Indian lands. A portion of the funds provided to the Central Arizona Project would provide new delivery facilities and ensure that delivery. I strongly urge you to approve the recommendations of the President |