[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SALAZAR (for himself and Mr. Allard):
  S. 1477. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry 
out the Jackson Gulch rehabilitation project in the State of Colorado; 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, today Senator Allard and I introduced the 
Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act of 2007, which would authorize $6.4 
million, subject to appropriations, to pay an 80-percent Federal cost-
share for rehabilitation of the Jackson Gulch Canal system and related 
infrastructures in southwest Colorado.
  Nearly 60 years ago, the Mancos Project canal was built, delivering 
water from Jackson Gulch Dam to residents, farms and businesses in 
Montezuma County. Since its construction, the Mancos Project has been 
maintained by the Mancos Water Conservancy District and inspected by 
the Bureau, but has outlived its expected life and is now badly in need 
of rehabilitation.
  The people of Montezuma County have shown great patience on the 
Mancos Project, but the situation is turning dire. Washington must not 
forget the needs of people in rural areas, and in the rural areas of 
the West, water is one of the most important needs they have.
  The Mancos Project and the Jackson Gulch Dam provide supplemental 
agricultural water for about 8,650 irrigated acres and a domestic water 
supply for the Mesa Verde National Park. The Mancos Project also 
delivers water to the more than 500 members of the Mancos Rural Water 
Company, the town of Mancos, and at least 237 agricultural businesses.
  The project was build in 1949, and although it has been maintained 
since then by the district and inspected by the Bureau of Reclamation, 
the project has outlived its expected life and is badly in need of 
rehabilitation. The estimated cost to rehabilitate the canal system is 
less than one-third the cost of replacement.
  If the Jackson Gulch Canal system experienced a catastrophic failure, 
it could result in Mesa Verde National Park being without water during 
the peak of their visitation and fire season, the town of Mancos 
suffering a severe municipal water shortage, and the possible loss of 
up to approximately $1.48 million dollars of crop production and sales 
annually.
  Mr. President, the Mancos Water Conservancy District has already 
obtained a loan from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, which, when 
combined with a recent mill levy increase, will enable the district to 
meet its share of the project costs. The Federal Government through the 
Bureau of Reclamation has an important role to play as well. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation.
                                 ______