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<br /> <br />few farms in the area provide full family support. The dependent <br />family has gradually shifted from primary reliance on agriculture <br />to wage work. <br /> <br />Livestock raising is the principal agricultural enterprise, and <br />95 percent of the irrigated area of 4,252 acres is presently <br />devoted to forage crops. The remaining 5 percent is planted in <br />orchard and truck crops. Under the present economy, 1,482 acres <br />of new land, being considered for development, has little <br />agricultural value. These lands are presently covered with sage- <br />brush and have minimum gra~ing value. <br /> <br />III. Project Plan <br />The economy of the area near the ,Taos Unit is beset with problems. <br />Unemployment in the area is high. The production of agricultural <br />goods is the means of support for many people wi thin the area, <br />However, the agricultural enterprise has been weakened by the <br />traditional Spanish custom of subdividing land among heirs. This <br />custom has so reduced the si~e of landholdings that many of the <br />farm units have become unprofitable. With the project constructed, <br />new lands would be brought under cultivation, and presently <br />irrigated lands would receive supplemental water to assure an <br />adequate supply during critical summer needs. <br /> <br />The plan provides for a multipurpose project designed to furnish a <br /> <br /> <br />dependable water supply with tolerable shortages to a project area <br /> <br /> <br />5 <br />