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<br />, <br /> <br />conclusions and Recommendations <br /> <br />This section of Colorado is semi-arid and is presently <br />undergoing a general decline in population due to the undependable and <br />inadequate water supply (approximately 25% of optimum through existing <br />facilities over the past 25 years). The area has been designated a <br />depressed area under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of <br />1965. <br /> <br />Completion of the project would be of great economic,value to <br />the area, including an increase of over 2 million dollars to the local <br />tax base. All irrigated crops would be utilized for livestock pro- <br />duction, which at the present time could be of significant national <br />benefit. <br /> <br />The recreational benefits derived from local fisheries along <br />the streams and at Gould and Soap Park Reservoimwould serve to take <br />local pressure away from the Curecanti national recreation area and <br />provide additional facilities for the overflow from Curecanti and Black <br />Canyon of the Gunnison areas. <br /> <br />This project, like the Savery-Pot Hook, has been long delayed <br />because of procrastination on the part of various administrations. <br />Because of the long and unprecedented drouth in this particular area, <br />which started in 1931, the Fruitland Mesa project was assigned the first <br />priority by this board after the passage of the Colorado River Storage <br />Project Act in 1956. There is no scientific explanation for the con- <br />tinued water shortage in the area, but it nevertheless persists. The <br />economic hardship to the old-timers in the area has been severe. <br />Despite the previous opposition of the Office of Management and Budget <br />to irrigation projects, there is no logical reason why this project <br />should not be constructed at an early date. <br /> <br />Of the n~ne authorized reclamation projects in Colorado, this <br />is the only project for which a repayment contract has been executed. <br />This repayment contract was executed in 1969. Since that time, a small <br />construction start was made on the replacement of the Gould siphon. <br />It is recommended that the Governor and the members of Colorado's <br />congressional delegation be requested to support the President's <br />proposed budgetary item of $727,000 to initiate project construction <br />during F.Y. 1976 and the sum of $150,000 for the transition quarter. <br /> <br />FLS:tam <br /> <br />-4- <br />