Summary

It is estimated that construction of the Central Arizona Project--a massive water project designed to pump water from the Colorado River as far south as Tucson--will be completed in 1999 at a cost of $4.7 billion, and the federal share could climb from $1.7 billion to upwards of $2.8 billion. The project is expected to provide Arizona residents with flood control, fish and wildlife enhancement, recreation, commercial power, groundwater conservation, and drinking water. This testimony discusses (1) the total financial commitment of the federal government to build the system and (2) the Central Arizona Water Conservation District's ability to fulfill its obligation to repay allocated project costs.