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o 'i :'r ij (.::> (-.:> ,! .....-4 ':) ~ "'.:) reasonable administrative and physical safeguards should be built into each project, where feasible, to reduce any damage to a minimum. The objective of all of the recommended projects is to increase the delivery of water across the State Line to satisfy the requirements of the Rio Grande ~ompact in exchange for increased diversions': from direct river flow princip~lly for irrigation purposes. Hopefully the increased diversions will maintain recharge to the drainage projects so that diversions can'be continued year after yea~, ' this mayor may not be a valid conclusion. It should be evident that before a thorough examination and evaluation of possible projects and assignment of reasonable priorities can be made, financing is needed for engineering, legal and administrative studies. Although it is nbt listed as a project, a long range master plan is a very necessary part of any undertaking as extensive as water salvage within the Colorado portion of the Rio Grande basin. The budgeting of finances should allow for aufficient funds of high priority to permit adequate prior and continual planning. The ideas and recommendations enumerated apparently represent the thinking of the Board of Directors and also a considerable portion of the more ~ire~tly ef- fected residents of the San Luis Valley. The projects seem reasonable ,nd log- ical on the basis of what has been done to date. It is conceivable that new projects may be uncovered and some of the initial ideas rejected or 'modified as a result of more detailed studies. QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY Colorado is now faced with the alternatives of meeting the demands o,f the Compact or defending itself against a suit brought by the State of Texas and New Mexico. If C'olorado's 1968 administrative policies are continueld ihthe absence of compensatory relief measures, the welfare of the San Luis, Va~ley residents and San Luis Valley economy are destined to 'suffer. According to recent studies and considerable publicity, the San Luis Valley, generally speaking, is an economically'depressed area '~en without the loss of its water. All of the projects aswell as the planning and the administration of any' projects require finances before any significant results can be obtained. Enough is known that the Norton Drain and possibly some channelization could be completed before the next irrigation season if funds were immediately available. The Rio Grande Compact was made by the State of Colorado and is an obligation thereof. The State of Colorado also granted water rights to its citizens prior and subsequent to ratification of the Compact. Since ratification of the Com- pact, Colorado for the most part has not administered the water in the rivers in accordance with the Compact requirements 'until 1968, approximately 100 years after the first appropriations of Rio Grande and Conejos River water. During the last 100 years much money, time and energy have been invested in the San Luis Valley on the basis of Colorado's history of permitting diversions of water from the rivers.