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I- I 0 I N N t- .;:.. I I (I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I natural and human resources. USDA planning assistance to sponsors authorized on 9-29-71. The project plan has been approved for operations. Arkansas River Basin below Keystone Dam - Bureau of Reclamation 1. Oklahoma State Water Plan (See Map 2) An appraisal inves- tigation to evaluate the opportunities for westward transfer of water from surplus areas to water deficient areas and provide for optimum development of the State's water and related land resources. The Arkansas-White-Red Basins Inter-Agency report (1955) included a comprehensive inventory of these basins' water re90urces and an overall plan for development of those resources. The report recog- nized that the major portion of the under developed water resources of the State of Oklahoma lie in the eastern areas while rapidly increasing water demands occur throughout the central and western portions of the State. The water use developments proposed in the AWRBIAC report are essentially based on water uses immediately ad- joining the proposed reservoirs. Development of the plan did not include an overall state water plan or consider the potential for large scale westward transfer of water to meet the needs of the central and western portions of the State which cannot be satisfied with water supplies locally available. The current appraisal in- vestigation proposes the framework of a statewide plan and evaluates the opportunities for regulation of surface water surplus to fore- seeable local needs and delivery of those waters to satisfy the requirements of water deficient areas. In February 1967 an interim appraisal of the Oklahoma State Water Plan studies ~as published under the title "Water, the Key to Oklahoma's Future." It was con- sidered that the statewide appraisal of water resources and needs, using information then available, would be of value to provide in- formation and alternative plans for use of State and Federal agencies in charting future investigations leading to the ultimate adoption of a statewide plan as directed by the 1963 Oklahoma State Legis- lature. The report does not make any firm proposals for construc- tion, nor does it propose to serve 8S basis for authorization. It has aroused considerable interest allover the state and an addi- tional 3,500 copies have been needed to fill requesta for the report. The concept of water transfer from surplus to deficient areas was made a part of the hearings held by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the 11 regions into which the Board has divided the State and are cooperating closely with State officials as they plan and develop the overall State Plan. A benefit-cost economic analysis of the Red River Basin segment of the State Water Plan is being finalized. Similar studies on the Arkansas River Basin are scheduled for Fiscal Year 1976. During the transition quarter and Fiscal Year 1977, the Bureau will continue to cooperate with the OWRB to update, revise and finalize its part of the Oklahoma State Water Plan. 134