It’s disheartening, after the successful 1977 fight to save Central Utah Project funding, to find that the Carter Administration has cut the fiscal 1979 CUP budget. And of even more concern, according to Rep. Gurm McKay, is the administratioifs “no new starts” policy. it is understood that under the policy any spearate part of a project not now under construction won’t be funded. The CUP is only 25 per cent complete, with six major reservoirs yet to start and several smaller features. The “no starts” policy, as Rep. McKay interprets it, would cut off the project and render much of it worthless. The most critical features of the CUP that the policy could victimize would be the Upper Stillwater Reservoir and the two Indian units, the Uintah and Upalco, he says. These have been authorized and appropriated, but because construction hasn’t begun their are considered new starts. tahns won their fight to preserve funding for the Central Utah Project last year by building support in Congress. That’s where they ultimately must turn again in the effort to restore cuts made in the budget. It is important that construction be pressed forward in the face of spiraling inflation. Rep. Dan Marriott of Utah says if Bonneville unit construction continues at the 1978 rate, about $700 million will be added to the cost of inflation. At current support levels it will take 22 years to complete the pro ject instead of the planned eight years. After commitments made by President Carter to Utah leaders in Washington following the 1977 controversy, it appears the administration either isn’t living up to its commitments or communication within the various levels isn’t what it ought to be. It is hoped that Congress will again hear the message of the Utah congressional delegation and use its influence to keep the project on the track. The CUP is Utah’s prime water development project and its importance to the future needs and growth should not be underestimated.