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<br />II. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> <br />The Rio Grande Region with its blue skys, colorful sunrises and <br />sunsets, variable climate and interesting topography, and intriguing <br />cultural background is truly a Land of Enchantment for those fortunate <br />to visit or live in its expanses. However, the Region has dominating <br />water problems which largely have governed settlement and development <br />in the three States of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas <br /> <br />General Conclusions and Recommendations <br /> <br />A. Water Supply. Water supplies are limited in the Rio Grande <br />Region. Shortages occur frequently. Even though water supplies are <br />limited, the region encounters flooding, erosion, and sedimentation <br />due largely to concentrated thunderstorms on erodible soils, which <br />are barren or sustain only a sparse arid type vegetation. <br /> <br />Storage and regulating works constructed in the past have helped <br />to store water during wet periods for use in dry periods, which is <br />necessary for sustaining the agricultural economy and enhancing munic- <br />ipal and industrial water supplies. <br /> <br />It is concluded that water supplies can be further stabilized <br />by storage and regulation, but that in the long run there is definite <br />need to reduce non-beneficial consumptive uses by phreatophytes to <br />help meet the growing water needs of the Region. Further, without <br />augmentation, municipal and industrial growth needs will be met <br />through the year 2000 and beyond by converting irrigation water sup- <br />plies to such uses through open market transactions. <br /> <br />B. Salinity. The salinity problems in the Region, particularly <br />those on the Rio Grande in the El Paso area and on the Pecos River in <br />New Mexico and Texas, will continue unless a comprehensive water quality <br />improvement program is initiated and undertaken. It is recommended <br />that such a program be authorized by the Congress for initiation by <br />the United States in cooperation with New Mexico, Texas, and the U. S. <br />Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission at the <br />earliest practical time. <br /> <br />C. Level B Studies. Level B Studies in the Rio Grande Region <br />under sponsorship of the Water Resources Council are not recommended <br />at this time by representatives of the States of Colorado, New Mexico, <br />and Texas. Specific conclusions by each of the three States relat- <br />ing to Level B Studies follow. <br /> <br />, " f) '(' 6 <br />! "'......)..... ,) <br /> <br />9 <br />