STORIES FROM THE PAST

50 years ago

WASHINGTON (UPI) — Legislation to authorize construction of a package of Colorado River water supply projects at a cost of at least $1.4 billion was approved today by the House reclamation subcommittee.

Final approval of the measure, which includes the long-stalled Central Arizona Project, came on a record vote of 17-5.

Subcommittee Chairman Harold T. Johnson, D-Calif., said the bill, a Senate-passed measure and possible amendments would be taken up by the full Interior Committee on March 20.

The bill approved by the Subcommittee was based on a substitute offered by Chairman Wayne N. Aspinall, D-Colo., of the parent committee.

As finally approved after several amendments, the measure would authorize construction of the CAP at a cost of $779 million, with up to $100 million additional authorized for distribution systems.

The bill also would authorize construction for a $398 million package of five water projects in the state of Colorado.

40 years ago

The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors voted Tuesday night to negotiate with Union Oil Company of California, which wants to obtain IID water for “cooling purposes” for a 10 megawatt geothermal power plant planned to begin operation in 1979.

“We should be happy to go ahead with working out a contract,” said Director Fred Singh after 10 minutes of discussion. “I think it’s an asset to have power companies down here working for geothermal power.”

The action was taken as a result of a letter sent to IID offices by Union area manager Anthony Chasteen.

“We have hired a firm to study the feasibility of using New River water as a possible future alternative to irrigation water,” Chasteen told the board. He added that the plant would use about 1,000 acre-feet of water a year.

30 years ago

The IVC basketball Arabs have an impressive list of victims this season.

That list includes nationally ranked powerhouses Arizona Western and Salt Lake City.

But Arab head coach Jeff Deyo says this week the Fullerton College Vikings may be the most physically talented junior college club IVC has faced this season.

The Vikings (19-12), an easy victory over Grossmont in the first round of the Southern California regional’s of the state basketball tournament, face IVC in the IVC Gym on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

“Fullerton is comparable to AWC,” Deyo said Monday.