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00078! COMPTROLLER GENERAL'S REPORT TO THE CONG~ESS COLORADO RIVER BASIN WATER PROBLEMS: How to Reduce Their Impact DIG EST The Colorado River Basin is in trouble. Soon after the year 2000, there will not be enough water to serve the region's booming population, sustain its rapid industrial growth, and support its fertile agricultural lands. Even before 2000, the water is likely to become too salty for many uses. (See pp. 1, 3, 6, and 26.) These problems are likely to occur despite the millions of dollars the Federal Government has spent on water resource projects in the seven-State area. Many of these complex water problems can be solved if Federal, State, and local governments work as partners to manage the region's water. Cooperation, long-range planning, financial resources, and a decision- making body are needed soon to find cost- effective solutions to the region's problems. " GAO recommends that the Congress establish a task force, consisting of the principal State and Federal executive agencies and representatives of water users, to determine the type of organization best suited to meet the basin's needs and protect the rights and interests of all concerned. (See ~p. 54 and 55.) I" COOPERATION AND BASINWIDE PLANNING NEEDED The basin consists of 242,000 square miles of land drained by the Colorado River in California, Wyoming, utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada. Water resource planning and management has been and continues to be fragmented and crisis oriented because the States and Federal Government are reluctant to cooperate on basinwide problems. For example, salinity control projects were not proposed or recommended by the States until the salinity level threatened future Tear Sheet. Upon removal, the report cover date should be noted hereon. CED-79-11 i