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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />but it is a beginning subject of discussion that I am glad we had. <br /> <br />Let's go to see what we can do in terms of state financial assistance <br />in regard to salinity abatement and other water-use efficiency. <br /> <br />~. Sparks: On this item 5, we think the state should have a specific <br />policy of financial assistance to projects which promote either salin- <br />ity control or water-use efficiency. We have already adopted a <br />policy for the construction fund. We would like to put together in <br />a single book a policy for all types of state assistance. One of <br />them is the state financial assistance for experimental projects such <br />as we are doing in the Grand Valley. <br /> <br />The future of this state lies in making the available water supplies <br />go further. Since over 90 percent of our water today is used for <br />agricultural purposes, if we are going to serve the growing population <br />we will have to make the available water supplies serve a greater <br />number of people. We think it is entirely possible to keep about the <br />same level or even perhaps increase somewhat our present agricultural <br />lands with considerably less water. The water saved can be made <br />available for an expanding human population and municipal and indus- <br />trial growth. We think that has to be the major thrust of the board's <br />future activities in the field of water conservation. This will be <br />a long, tedious, never-ending job. It will not have the glamour of <br />building a large dam or some large project. We have about reached <br />a point of diminishing returns on storing water. What we are asking <br />the board is to adopt a policy whereby the board will consider <br />financial assistance to experimental projects designed to increase <br />water-use efficiency or to reduce salinity. Those projects would <br />have to be presented to the board not later than May of each year so <br />that they can be considered by the board in a meeting to be held in <br />June, at which time we can consider all these matters, construction <br />projects, flood control assistance and financial assistance to <br />experimental projects. That is the thrust of what we are asking. <br /> <br />~. Stapleton: What enabling legislation do we need? <br /> <br />~. Sparks: I don't think we need any. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Will we be going for any appropriations? <br /> <br />Nr. Sparks: Yes. We would determine in June those projects that we <br />thought had merit and put a dollar figure on them and that would then <br />be included in our budget. What we would like to do is to have a <br />two-day meeting in June every year to review all of these various <br />projects to place a priority on them, a dollar amount, and then <br /> <br />-15- <br />