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SECTION II. PROGRAM RATIONALE, AUTHORITY, ~1) P~'U:ING ACTIVITIES Pro~ram Rationale: Western Water Needs Unless the water supply of the Colorado River is augmented within the next two decades. shortages and increased salinity may occur. The large amount of vater now in reservoir storage will temporarily satisfy the overall Basin demand, but with the completion of new projects. such as the Central Arizona Project, the water supply will not be sufficient, especially in drought periods. Foreseeable future water needs from the Colorado River may exceed the natural flow by several billion cubic meters (million acre-feet) annually. Growing water needs are associated with: (a) rapidly expanding population and industry in the region, (h) emerging technologies, (c) salinity and other water quality problems, (d) reservoir and streamflow maintenance for environmental. wildlife, and recreational benefits, and (e) new water projects under construction. The Indian water rights issue could also place additional demands on the Basin's water supply. Even with comprehensive planning. strict conservation. and modern water management practices, the natural supply cannot be stretched to meet all projected competing domestic demands and our obligations under the Mexican Water Treaty. The demand for augmentation of the Colorado River flow is directly related to the historic arid conditions of the Basin and the lack of adequate streamflow to meet water needs. Federal Authority and Responsibilities The Secretary of the Interior's responsibilities in the Colorado River Basin include the regulation and operation of the river, con- tracts for water, declaring water surplus or shortage, accounting for all the water of the Basin, supplying water to Mexico, and preparing and developing augmentation plans to meet w~ter requirements. Section 102(4) of the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-537) clearly states a twofold development and augmentation objective: "...to provide a progr~m for the further comprehensive development of the water resources of the Colorado River Basin and for the provision of additional and adequate water supplies for use in the upper &s well as the lower Colorado River Basin." This Act, pursuant to the Reclamation Laws, authorizes the Secretary to construct the Central Arizona Project and the Colorado River Storage Project participating units. Under Title II, the Secretary is authorized to prepare and implement an augmentation plan to meet the water requirements of these new projects, existing projects and water ~llotments, and the 1944 Water Treaty with Mexico. The Act also 11-1