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<br /> <br />sizable amounts is possible on <br />many Recl amati on and I ndi an <br />Affairs projects through <br />implementation of various <br />physical improvements and <br />improved management practices. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />2. The amount of water that <br />could be made available for new <br />beneficial uses, without <br />significant interference with <br />existing uses, is much less <br />than the amount of reduced <br />diversions, possibly on the <br />order of 20 percent of reduced <br />diversions. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />3. There are attractive <br />opportunities for <br />implementation of measures <br />to conserve water on projects <br />in each of the seven <br />Reclamation regions and the <br />four Indian Affairs areas. <br /> <br />4. Under existing laws and <br />authorities, there are programs <br />available to individual farmers <br />and water user organizations to <br />assist in making more efficient <br />and effective use of irrigation <br />water. These programs, <br />admi ni s tered by va ri ou s F edera 1 <br />agencies, provide technical <br />assistance, cost-sharing, and <br />non-interest-bearing loans. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />5. Although some incentives <br />to implement conservation <br />measures exist through <br />presently available Federal <br />programs, additional incentives <br />and simplified administrative <br />procedures are needed. <br /> <br />6. Two of the major factors <br />which inhibit implementation of <br />water conservation measures <br />are: (al the probable <br />reluctance by water users <br /> <br />wi thi n the i rri gati on servi ces <br />area to relinquish any rights <br />to water, and (b) the lack <br />of procedures whereby <br />,beneficiaries outside the <br />i rri gati on servi ce area <br />share in the reimbursable <br />costs of the conservati on <br />measures. <br /> <br />7. The impacts of water <br />conservation progra!lls, <br />including economlC, <br />environmental, and social, are <br />difficult to measure. <br />Additional analysis is needed <br />during detailed studies to <br />determine the full value of <br />water conserved. However, <br />preliminary indications are <br />that many water conservation <br />programs cannot be justified <br />using strict economic <br />effici ency cri teri a. <br /> <br />8. Legal and institutional <br />constraints can inhibit the <br />implementation of conservation <br />measures. Three areas in which <br />additional Federal authority <br />may be needed are: <br /> <br />a. In those instances where <br />the impl ementati on of <br />conservation measures <br />provides enhancement of <br />fish and wildlife habitat <br />or public recreational <br />opportuni ti es, substanti al <br />Federal cost shari ng for <br />such enhancement shoul d be <br />consi dered. <br /> <br />b. When benefits accrue for <br />which repayment is required, <br />but no identifiable entity <br />exists to assume the <br />repayment obligation, <br />provi sions for grants or <br />deferred payment s imil ar to <br /> <br />xi <br />