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. . . 002258 the minimum criteria of the National Flood Insurance I\ct to allow for the option of participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, and (2) any adopted regulations include the Task Force's recommended flood plain management regulation amendments to provide for the Colorado River Floodway. It is further recommended that specific funding be provided to the Federal Emergency Management Agency wi thin one year to allow for reservation-wide mapping of flood-prone areas for use in the administration of tribal flood plain management ordinances. III. ISSUE Potential Indian reservation land areas of high ground water levels associated with the Colorado River Floodway design flow. DISCUSSION Since the closure of Hoover Dam in 1935 and until 1983, the Colorado River flow has approached the Ploodway flow elevation on only one occasion for only limited reaches of the river. As there remain substantial undeveloped reservation lands, the potential for high ground water on reservation lands associated with the Floodway elevation flow or even lesser high river flows is not well known. High ground water conditions can cause substantial property damage and loss of land productivity. River channel dredging, ground water pumping programs, and levee improvements, or land exchanges can help mitigate high ground water conditions or damages. In cases where physical mitigation measures are not practical, high ground water- prone areas should be considered for open space uses such as recreation, agriculture, and wildlife habitat. RECOMMENDATION It is the recommendation of the Task Force that the Bureau of Reclamation, assisted by the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, (1) conduct an investigation of potential high ground water-prone areas a Floodway elevation flow conditions for Indian reservation lands along the lower Colorado River, (2) prepare a report on the findings of the investigation including measures to eliminate or help reduce high ground water problem areas, and (3) implement mitigation measures where required. This work should be carried out consistent with Section 15 of the Colorado River Floodway Protection Act and with the review and approval of each tribe. VIII-5