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Governor Tim Babcock told the Pacific Uorthwest River Basins Commission at its meet- 

 ing in MlsBoula, July 25, "the west depends for life upon its water supplies. .. .certainly 

 the expansion of Montana's economic base depends upon development of our water resources." 

 He said proposals which we feel tend to restrict our future development are not viewed with 

 approval by Montanans. Montanans realize, he said, that the water in our rivers belongs to 

 those who make beneficial use of it, and that the user can just as well live in New Orleans 

 or Portland as in Montana. Nevertheless, tlie Governor stated, we would argue that it is 

 grossly unfair to deprive Montana of her future in order to guarantee one for the people 

 of another state, whether that state be located downstream or outside the basin. 



Governor Babcock said Montana's concern about her water future was well expressed in 

 our last legis'lature. He cited examples of amendments to the SWCD Law to allow municipali- 

 ties to become part of existing districts, to have representation and participate in water 

 planning and developments of the districts. In addition, the legislature expanded the 

 authority of cities and towns and counties to not only create districts for flood control, 

 but for water conservation. He stated the term "water conservation" is further defined By 

 the legislature to be "conservation, development, storage, distribution, drainage, and any 

 other beneficial purpose , including industrial and municipal water supply". Even further 

 he stated, the law includes under the term "water conservation" recreation, wildlife, irri- 

 gation, strearaflow stabilization, household, and domestic use and pollution abatement. 



Perhaps the most important and far-reaching legislation of all, 

 :, was the authorizing of the Water Resources Board to conduct i 

 to formulate a long-range plan for the utilization of Montana's water resources. 



according to the Gc - 

 ernor, was the authorizing of the Water Resources Board to conduct a comprehensive stud' 



Governor Babcock stated we must create a right to water by putting it to beneficial 

 use. Legislation is Just a vehicle to action. Action and action alone will establish the 

 right of use. 



The Governor related that at the present time we are doing a great many things in the 

 area of water resources which receive little attention. Last year, for example, $12 millioa 

 was spent on small Soil and Water Conservation Projects (through Soil and Water Conservation 

 Districts). 



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Governor concluded by stating that in order to develop our abundant resources, 

 high quality water is needed. 



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Nor.-Frofit Org. 

 U.S. Postage PD. 

 Permit No.l71 

 Butte, Montana 



no:iT STATE LisnAaY 



930 E LYIJDALE 

 HELEMA M0:JT 53501 



