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.001669 ~~~~ ...;,,-,- ~~"-'::'" , .. N-, in New Mexico. The State has been concerned that the dedication of a portion of New Mexico's remaining unused allotted share of Colorado River water to the Animas-La Plata Project might preclude a favor- able determination in respect to the availability of water from Navajo Reservoir for municipal and industrial purposes. The State, therefore, has withheld its comments on the Animas-La Plata Project pending clarification of this matter. The State of Colorado, which is anxious to seek authorization of the Animas-La Plata Project for development of Colorado lands, has been understandably concerned over this delay. In each case, the finding as to the availability of water supply involves the element of time. For the Animas-La Plata Project, a period of 70 years in the future is involved, covering a ten-year authorization and construction period, a ten-year development period, and a 50-year repayment period. By the year 2033, 70 years hence, the entire Upper Basin, as well as New Mexico, may well be approaching in use the limit of its water supply allotted by the Colorado River Compact. Determinations as to the availability of water under long- term contracts for municipal and industrial water from Navajo Reser- voir involve only a 40-year projection in the future. At that time, it is anticipated that the Upper Basin, as a whole, will have a sub- stantial portion of its allotted water still not developed. The problem of estimating New Mexico's ultimate entitlement to Colorado River water is complicated by assumptions which could involve contro- versial interpretations of the Colorado River Compact. Under the assump- tion, for instance, that the Upper Basin's obligation under the compact is the delivery of 75 million acre-feet of water every ten years at Lee Ferry, there appears to be ample water within New Mexico's allotted share of Upper Basin water to supply the Animas-La Plata Project, with additional water remaining for municipal and industrial uses. On the other hand, if the Upper Basin must furnish not only the 75 million acre- feet every ten years but also must provide a share of the Mexican Water Treaty requirements under the Colorado River Compact, then New Mexico's share would barely cover existing and authorized uses plus the Animas- La Pl.ata Project requirements. other assumptions can result in different conditions. Because of the long history of contention and controversy associated with interpretation of the Colorado River Compact and because it is unlikely that acceptable interpretations could be made absent additional 2