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" llOG3~H project has been authorized and work on it is proceeding. the project are indicated on Exhibit No.2. The various features of None of this important river basin work in the upper Rio Grande could have been accomplished vdthout the Rio Grande Compact. The commissioners of that Compact Commission have worked harmoniously together in the administration of the compact since it Vlent into effect, and are also working harmoniously with govern- mental agencies in devising logical plans for the solution of the water use problems within the basin. Water use nroblems concerning the Pecos River developed between Texas and New Mexico in the early 1920's. A compact was negotiated in 1925. It was "tified by the legislatures of the two states but the New Mexico ratification was ';stoed by the Governor of that State. Texas then repealed its ratification and the compact never became effective. Tension bet,veen the two states became greater as the water use problems became more critical. McMillan reservoir, the main reservoir ~'~::" the Carls bad Project in New !lexico, was gradually losing its capacity because of sedimentation. Salt cedars had taken root over a large area of the delta created by the sedimentation at the head of Lake McMillan, and were beginning to talee a large toll of the already short water supply. The quality of water was not good, becoming progressively worse downstream. The City of Hoswell in New ]"Iexico needed flood con- trol protective works; the old Fort Sumner project in New Mexico required rehabilita- ',ion because of damage to its system by flood flons; the Carlsbad Project required replacement storage; and the irrigated area in Texas required supplemental storage. Alamogordo reservoir was constructed to provide replacement storage for the Carlsbad Project, the authorization act having been permitted to pass in Congress u::der what was known as a gentleman's agreement between certain members of the Texas and New Mexico delegations and the Secretary of the Interior. Red Bluff reservoir was constructed in Texas at about the same time to provide supplemental water supplies and to generate hydroelectric,energy. These ~rojects, however, did not solve the interstate problems and the tension between the two states continued to in- crease. Claims were made practically every year by Texas interests that the Secretary of the Interior was not adhering to the gentleman's agreement in the opera- tion of Alamogordo reservoir. Bills were introduced in Congress to provide needed flood control for Roswell and the rehabilitation of the Fort Sumne~ project, but it was impossible to secure passage of these authorization bills because of opposition by Texas. Compact negotiations were resumed and a compact was finally consummated which became effective in 1949. Tension between the states was relieved immediately. Since the compact became effective the states have been working closely together to make the best use possible of the extremely limited and poor water supply. At present the Pecos River Commission, working in cooperation ,vith relevant governmental agencies, is making studies to determine how the non-beneficial use of water on the stream can be reduced, and hoVl the salinity problem can be alleviated. Studies are also being made of a reservoir which '{QuId provide flood control and replace Alamogordo reservoir as a conservation reservoir. The liaison between the Commission and the governmental agencies at the technical level is through the Engineering Advisory Committee to the Commission. ' Congress has authorized the rehabilitation of the Fort Sumner Project in New Mexico and the work is practically complete. The authorizing legislation had the support of the Texas congressional delegation. -7-