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-, ~ 0552 feasibility investigations on projects in Colorado. The Board believes that these sums are, with the exception of the failure to include $2.8 million for a construction start on the Animas-La Plata project, adequate for the timely execution and continuation of reclamation pro- grams in Colorado. We would caution, however, that any reduction in these budget requests, particularly for construction activities, would be detrimental to the water users of the State of Colorado and, in the instance of the Closed Basin project, to the interests of the States of New Mexico and Texas as well. I would also like to specifically mention the Grand Valley and Paradox Valley Units, both of which are components of the Colorado River Basin salinity control program. The seven states of the Colorado River Basin have, acting through the auspices of the salinity Control Forum endorsed a basinwide, coordinated approach to the management of salinity. The construction of these two units in Colorado are integral components of that basinwide effort. Therefore, we endorse the funding for these projects which is contained in the President's recommended budget. With respect to the Animas-La Plata project, the Board urges Congress to include $2.8 million in the FY 81 budget in order that construction on this project can be initiated. I would also note that the Board is adamantly opposed to the President's effort to tie project construction starts to Congressional approval and funding of the pro- posed independent review function of the U. S. Water Resources Council. Water projects are already subjected to more stringent evaluation procedures and review mechanisms than nearly any other federal program. To create yet another layer of review is utterly wasteful of the tax- payers' dollars. The Animas-La Plata project is a joint Colorado-New Mexico project. It is designed, among other things, to address many of the problems which confront the Indian reservations in the project area. For example, in Colorado both the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes have substantial amounts of lands which would be irrigated by the project. In addition, both reservations contain significant coal deposits which could be converted into other forms of energy if water supplies can be made available. Other components of the project would serve non-Indian populations in Colorado and New Mexico with municipal water. Finally, project water would significantly strengthen the irrigated agricultural economy of southwestern Colorado. The construction of this project has been caught up in continuing and long standing delays. When authorized in 1968, it was represented to Congress that all preconstruction planning could be completed in three years. Twelve years have now elapsed. However, at long last the definite plan report and final environmental impact statement have been completed at the field level and are nearing final approval and publi- cation. Pending judicial resolution of issues concerning the expansion -2-