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C.J the United States Geological Survey has undertaken and completed an exhaustive research of the possible effect of the project on existing irrigation practices in the Closed Basin. This research, which was conducted over a considerable period of time and included the construc- tion of an electric analog model, indicates that the project will have no adverse effect upon existing irrigation practices in the Closed Basin. In addition, the present plan of development provides for construction of the project in stages in order that the effect of each stage can be evaluated. r"- ...oj ..-l , .-) C;:', There is now pending in the United States Supreme Court a suit filed against Colorado by the states of Texas and New Mexico alleging that Colorado is in violation of the terms of the Rio Grande Compact. In 1967, the three states and the United States agreed to a stay of pro- ceedings in the pending litigation in order to "afford a reasonable time for the interested parties to demonstrate the feasibility and imminence of an equitable administrative solution. In the meantime, the United States will explore the matter of an administrative solution in con- junction with the three states." There appears to be only two feasible administrative solutions to the pending litigation. These are either to curtail water uses in Colorado, which is being done at the present time, or to construct the Closed Basin project to salvage waters now being nonbeneficially evapo- rated in the Closed Basin. Local Support Despite some op~n~ons to the contrary, there is strong local support for the project. The project is being supported by the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, the Conejos Water Conservancy District, the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, the Rio Grande Water Users Association, the San Luis Valley Irrigation Well Owners, Inc., and numerous other organizations and entities. It is a reasonable assumption that at least 90 percent of the water users in the San Luis Valley support the project. The substantial support which has always existed for project con- struction has increased considerably in recent years. This increased support has resulted largely from the unfortunate effects of the pending case of Texas and New Mexico v. Colorado. As a result of this case, the Colorado State Engineer has been forced to curtail water uses in Colorado. This reduction in water diversions has caused severe financial hardships, particularly to well owners who for the most part have junior decrees. The well owners are now attempting to raise approximately one million dollars to purchase surface water rights to replace the junior water being pumped from wells. If the Closed Basin project were con- structed, it would not be necessary for the well owners to bear this heavy financial burden. Considerable additional support for the project by the valley residents came about through the incorporation of numerous safeguards in the authorizing legislation (P.L. 92-514; 86 Stat. 964), as follows: 1. NO,prQject wells, other than observation wells, shall be permitted to penetrate the aquiclude, or first confining clay layer. -3-