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<br />.,'. Ii ,., <br />,OO~43~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />the United States Supreme Court of Texas and New Mexico vs. Colorado, <br /> <br />we have been forced to curtail precompact water rights with an attend- <br /> <br />ant severe financial loss to the inhabitants of the San Luis Valley in <br /> <br />Colorado. <br /> <br />The environmental impact report on the proposed project is <br /> <br />new and favorable. The project would cause the Rio Grande to become <br /> <br />a continuous live stream throughout the Rio Grande gorge, an area <br /> <br />which is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Much <br /> <br />of the Closed Basin area is now virtually sterile as a result of salt <br /> <br />accumulations. The project will reverse the salt trend and permit the <br /> <br />re-establishment of native vegetation and native wildlife. Unlike <br /> <br />many projects of this nature, no resources would be irreversibly <br /> <br />committed. <br /> <br />The project report indicates that it might take a period in <br /> <br />excess of forty years after the project becomes operational for Colorado <br /> <br />to achieve a debit-free status under the compact. The report also <br /> <br />contemplates that Colorado will accumulate further debits in future <br /> <br />years. This projected method of operation was objectionable to the <br /> <br />States of New Mexico and Texas. <br /> <br />In order that the project would have more favorable benefits <br /> <br />to New Mexico and Texas, the State of Colorado has proposed the prior- <br /> <br />ities and limitations set forth in section 4 of the pending legislation. <br /> <br />Under our projected operation of the project pursuant to section 4, a <br /> <br />-4- <br />