Statement of U.S. Senator Wayne Allard

Water and Power ENR Subcommittee Hearing

July 8, 2008

S2974 Arkansas Valley Conduit

Thank you M\_ Chairman and Ranking Member Corker, for holding this
important hearing and for allowing me the opportunity to appear before
you today.

I am here to testify in support of S.2974 the Arkansas Valley Conduit
Act of 2008. As members of this Subcommittee know water is one of our
most precious resources. This is especially true in the West where some
areas continue to struggle through a multiyear drought.

The backbone of Colorado, like South Dakota and Tennessee, is found in
our numerous small and rural communities. Unfortunately for rural
communities things that folks in metropolitan areas take for granted can
be difficult to come by. This should not include safe, clean drinking
water. That is why I have long worked to enact legislation that would
help the Arkansas Valley Conduit become a reality.

I should note that the Arkansas Valley Conduit was originally authorized
by Congress in 1962, over forty years ago, as a part of the
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. The original "Fry-Ark" Project authorizing
legislation granted the Secretary of the Interior the authority to
construct the Arkansas Valley Conduit. This legislation simply
reauthorizes that authority and adds a workable cost-share provision.

Due to the authorizing statute's lack of a cost share provision, and
Southeastern Colorado\'s depressed economic status, the Conduit was
never built. And, until recently, there was no urgent need for it - the
region was fortunate to enjoy an economical and safe alternative to
pipeline-transportation of project water: the Arkansas River.
Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. While the federal government
has continued to strengthen its unfunded water quality standards, these
communities have fallen further and further behind in attaining them. As
far back as 1950, the Bureau of Reclamation determined that the quality
of local drinking water supplies were \"unacceptable."

In response to a number of water providers falling out of compliance
with existing EPA water quality standards, the local communities formed
a committee to evaluate alternative approaches to solving this problem.
The Arkansas Valley conduit was found to be the most viable solution.
However local communities are unable to fund the Conduit under existing
circumstances.

This legislation is essential if we are to bring local water providers
into compliance with federal water quality standards and it will finally
provide a long term solution to the region\'s water quality concerns.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit will deliver fresh, clean water to 16 cities
and 25 water agencies in Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Prowers, Pueblo and Otero
counties with water when completed - an area slightly larger than the
state of New Hampshire. The largest city served by the Conduit is La
Junta, Colorado, with a population of approximately 12,000.

The local sponsors of the project have completed an independently funded
feasibility study of the Conduit, and have developed a coalition of
support from water users in Southeastern Colorado.

I am also pleased that the State of Colorado has contributed a great
deal of funding for the study through the Colorado Water Conservation
Board.

This legislation enjoys strong bipartisan support both locally and here
in Washington. I am pleased that I have been able to work with Senator
Salazar on this measure his work as a member of this Subcommittee is
appreciated.

Thank you Mr. Chairman I appreciate the Committee's time and
consideration of this important matter and hope we will be able to move
this legislation forward.