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. THE DISTRICT . The San Luis Valley Irrigation District is a public corporation of the State of Colorado organized under C.R.S. (1973) 37-41-101 et. seq. Information related to the SLVID organization and authority to undertake the activities contemplated by this feasibility report is enclosed as Appendix A. The SLVID was organized in 1909. It owns and operates Rio Grande Reservoir and the Farmers Union Canal. It is by means of the Farmers Union Canal that water released from Rio Grande Reservoir is delivered to the SLVID. The SLVID maintains and operates approximately 135 miles of canals and laterals and 60 miles of drainage canals. The SLVID was organized in 1909 in accordance with the "1905 I rrigation District Law." The SLVID has the power to collect water assessments through levies imposed by the county governments. After the SLVID determines the required water assessment for the following year, it certifies this assessment to the respective county tax collecting authorities for Rio Grande, Alamosa, and Saguache counties. The assessments are then collected by the counties as a part of the general property tax. If property taxes become delinquent, the counties can place the land up for sale to pay the taxes. The "1905 Irrigation District Law" gives the SLVID the right to borrow money, incur debt, and look to the landowners within the SLVID to make repayment. The "1905 I rrigation District Law" (C.R.S. 1973, 37-41-101 et. ~ and C.R.S. 1973, 37-43-101 et. seq.) specifically grants irri- gation districts the right to eminent domain, the right to make assessments or taxes and the authority to enter into all necessary contracts and to perform all acts to fully carry out the purposes of the statute. The statutes contain no apparent prohibition that would prevent contracting with the Colorado Water Conservation Board or vesting title to the project in the Colorado Water Conservation Board. . -19-