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. construction contract for the Gould Canal siphons, amount to $2,018,482. Local Interest State and local interests are actively encouraging construction of the project. The Fruitland Mesa Water Conservancy District was organized in 1960 to be the administrative and contractual agency for the recla- .mation features of the project. The state of Colorado, through the Colorado Water Conservation Board, supplied $14,000 to the Bureau of Reclamation to aid in the investigations. The Colorado River Water Conservation District has assisted in the investigations and has secured the necessary water rights for the project. Conclusions and Recommendations This section of Colorado is semi-arid and is presently undergoing a general decline in population due to the undependable and inadequate water supply (approximately 25% of optimum through existing facilities over the past 25 years). The area has been designated a depressed area under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Completion of the project would be of great economic value to the area, including an increase of over 2 million dollars to the local tax base. All irrigated crops would be utilized for livestock production, which at the present time could be of significant national benefit. The recreational benefits derived from local fisheries along the streams and at Gould and Soap Park Reservoirs would serve to take local pressure away from the Curecanti National Recreation Area and provide additional facilities for the overflow from Curecanti and Black Canyon of the Gunnison area. Approximately $1,100,000 are now available to initiate construction. A repayment contract has been executed. A small construction start has been made through the replacement of the Gould siphon. It is recom- mended that the Governor and the members of Colorado's congressional delegation be requested to support the President's proposed budgetary item of $3,000,000 to continue project construction during FY 1977. FLS :mm -3-