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<br />co <br />:;1 INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />-,,01 <br />~ The potential for salvsging water in the Closed Basin area for beneficial use <br />has long been recognized. Research and engineering investigations into the <br />C~) conditions of the Closed Basin began as early as 1939. Studies made by the <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board and the United States Geological Survey as <br />well as other investigations authorized by Congress supported the concept of <br />Closed Basin water use. <br /> <br /> <br />The San Luis Valley Project-closed Basin Division was authorized by Congress in <br />1972 (Public Law 92-514). The project's purpose is to capture ground water that <br />would be lost to evaporation. <br /> <br />Delivering this salvaged water to the Rio Grande will help the State of Colorado <br />meet its obligations for water to the States of New Mexico and Texas, under the <br />terms of the Rio Grande Compact of 1939. This additional water will also help <br />the United States meet its water delivery commitments to Mexico under the Rio <br />Grande Convention of 1906. <br /> <br />Under the terms set out in the Rio Grande Compact, Colorado has been in a debit <br />water status since 1952. Studies show that this trend first started developing <br />in 1949, when Colorado last enjoyed a credit status. On the basis of the <br />alleged debit status, the States of New Mexico and Texas would not consent to <br />the construction of a much-needed reservoir at Wagon Wheel Gap, located just <br />below Creede, Colorado. This reservoir would have provided better water <br />\ supplies for ,the Valley as well as other benefits.. A primary need of the Valley <br />is to ach~eve credit status under the Rio Grande Compact. The most favorable <br />opportunity '{if;\~hrough the salvage of waters now being lost in the Closed Basin. <br />Water salvaged<'ld~er\l"nd above this need will be available for use in Colorado. <br /> <br />A more complete discussion of the Rio Grande Compact, the Rio Grande Convention, <br />and the San Luis Valley,project can be found in the first module of this public <br />information series, FACTS AND CONCEPTS. <br /> <br />A number of other studies., directed toward further development of the land and <br />water resources of the San Luis Valley, have been made by the Bureau of <br />Reclamation. <br /> <br />THE PLANNING PROCESS <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />Few people realize <br />Basin Division is. <br />economic, cultural <br />the first spadeful <br /> <br />how complex planning a water salvage project like the Closed <br />Years of study, testing, and research were needed. Social, <br />and environmental effects had to be fully addressed before <br />of dirt was turned over in the project's construction. <br /> <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />-- <br />