Miscellaneous Files - Utah Water and Power Board

              STATEMENT OF THE UTAH WATER AND POWER BOARD
ON THE REPORT OF THE UTAH STATE COMMISSION ON
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT*
Mr, Chairman, Members of the Committee, the Utah Water and Power Board
welcomes this opportunity to meet with the members of the task group assigned
responsibility for reviewing the report of the Utah State Commission on the organization of the Executive Branch of the Government.  This statement, of which
you have copies, represents the considered views of the Board and its staff.
In making these comments, we have avoided any discussion of those parts of the
Little Hoover Commission Report which are not clearly related to the activities
of the Water and Power Board with the thought that in these areas we are no
more knowledgeable than any other private citizen or group of citizens. We
have, however, tried to look critically and yet objectively at the recommendations which affect in some way the present activities of the Water and Power
Board»
Importance of Water
We would like to begin our statement by noting that water development
and management is one of the major industries in the State—largely a public
enterprise, it is true, but nevertheless very large and important when one
considers that each individual and all elements of our economy are affected.
Water is a product which is essential to the welfare of the State.
While the availability of water by itself will not ensure the economic growth
of an area, its absence or limited supply will certainly prohibit or restrict
such growth.  Consequently, we suggest that proposals to modify the existing
organization should be appraised with a clear recognition of the importance of
water and of the water development and management job which needs to be done.
* Statement presented by Jay Ro Bingham, Executive Director of the Utah Water
and Power Board before the Legislative Task Force of the Legislative Council,
February 26, 1966