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GroLOGICAL SURVEY 0022J5 A PROGRAM I1f THE PACIFIC SOt11'liWES'l' . IITRODUCTIOlf For purposes 01' this progr!l.lll statement, the Paci1'ic SOuthwest comprises the lower basin 01' the Colorado River (below Lee Ferry, Arizona) and its water-service area to the west. Included are parts of five States -- Arizona, California, Nevada, lfew Mexipo lUld utah. Certain international complications involve parts of the adjoining Mexican States of SOnora and Baja California. Raving a very mild winter climate, the Pacific SOuthwest 18 attractive both to intensive agriculture and to light industry of diverse kinds. Its current rate 01' population increase is the nation's greatest. At the same time it is a water-short region in which competition 1'or local water sources, including the Colorado River, is relatively I1IOre severe than in any other part 01' the 1\IB.1n- land United states. . Man I S Buccess:t'u.l use of an environment 01' such extremes calls fot' keen wits and :t'u.ll knowledge 01' both the opportunities and the limitations 01' that environment. Developing such knowledge is a basic responsibility 01' the Geological Survey -- knowledge 01' the availability and magnitude 01' the water resource, and 01' principles for its conservation and management; also, of the occurrence and potential productivity of mineral and fuel resources, which are actual. or prospective industrial cOlllDlOdities, locally or nationally. Related responsibilities include production of topographic maps -- universal tools in appraising natural resources and planning their development or management; also, classification of Federal mineral lands to foster their effective conservation. These several responsibilities are inseparably an,! deeply interwoven in the Pacific Southwest.