For immediate release: Monday, September 15, 2008
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Congressman John Salazar Urges Colleagues to Pass Jackson Gulch Bill for Southwest Colorado
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Salazar delivered the following remarks today during the House of Representatives floor debate on his bill H.R. 3437, The Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act. A recorded vote on Salazar’s bill was requested and will be scheduled for later tonight or this week. Remarks are as prepared:
“Thank you Madame Speaker.
“I want to thank Chairwoman Napolitano for all of her hard work on this bill.
“I introduced this bill after hearing from my constituents in Mancos, Colorado, including Gary Kennedy, Superintendent of the Mancos Water Conservancy District.
“Gary told me how every spring as the snow melts he is terrified that they are going to have a catastrophic failure of the system – it is only a matter of time.
“The Jackson Gulch project is critical to Southwest Colorado and has stored and delivered water for domestic, agriculture, and recreation uses for over 50 years.
“The Jackson Gulch reservoir supplies water to the town of Mancos and the Mancos Rural Water Company.
“Many of my constituents in that area depend on agriculture land to make their living.
“They cannot afford to lose their water supply.
“Also of critical importance, Jackson Gulch is the sole supplier of municipal water for Mesa Verde National Park.
“Mesa Verde National Park was founded in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt as one of our nation’s most treasured archeological sites.
“Almost 600,000 Americans each year enjoy Mesa Verde National Park and rely on the water the park receives from Jackson Gulch.
“This bill is critical to extend the life of the Jackson Gulch Project.
“The project was authorized in 1939 and construction of the project was completed in 1949.
“Over the past 60 years, the canals and facilities have exceeded their life expectancy and are in dire need of repair.
“Congress is faced with a simple decision.
“Tackle the problem of rehabilitation for $8 million today…..
“Or wait for a catastrophic failure and face a $30 million price tag for replacement tomorrow.
“Without action, it is only a matter of time before we have a major failure and cut off water to Mesa Verde National Park and Coloradans in the Southwest.
“The most dangerous period is during the spring snow melt while the Jackson Gulch Reservoir is being filled.
“If anything happened during that time, my farmers, the Town of Mancos, and Mesa Verde National Park would be out of business.
“The estimated cost to rehabilitate the canal system is less than one third the cost of replacement.
“I urge my colleagues to help us address this important issue for Southwest Colorado.
“There are approximately 300-350 families living in the town of Mancos and 100 more living in the Mancos Valley.
“The median income in Mancos is only $25,000.
“Yet in their desperate need for water they have agreed to pay 35% of the cost.
“They know this will stretch their budgets but they are willing to do their part.
“Now Congress should do its part and pass this critical bill.
Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.”
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