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.-' 3557 The Rio Grande Compact is a complicate~d~cg~~~which attempts to maintain the relationship of annual flows across state boundaries which had developed by the early 20th century. The terms of the Compact are flexible, recognizing annual variations in natural flow and anticipating that new sources of water for the Basin would develop. Colorado has the most difficulty meeting its delivery requirement in years when the river's flow is high. Under the Compact, states c~n also accumulate a debt or credit. .., COlorado began to accumulate a debt after 1949 and it reached an estimated 944,000 acre feet, from 1952 to 1966 due to five large water years which occurred during that time. In 1966, Texas and New Mexico sued CoMrado. This suit carried to the United States Supreme Court where in 1968 a stipulation was reached between the three states which, in essence, said that Texas and New Mexico would not proceed with further litigation if Colorado would honor it~ obligations under the Compact. From 1968 to 1985 the State Engineer strictly enforced the terms that Colorado had to meet to repay its debt and meet its annual allotment. There is a clause in the compact which provides for elimination of a debt or credit if Elephant Butte Reservoir spills. In June 1985 Colorado's alleged debt of 600,000 acre feet was erased by such a spill. In 1986 and 1987 Elephant Butte spilled again insuring that Colorado's allotment was met. THE CLOSED BASIN PROOECT Planning and Project Formulation -~~ 0.,.. Studies of the sump area date back to the early 1900s when it was suggested that a study be made to determine if 60,000 acre feet of__wateuostJ:o non",beneficial_ ___ evapotranspiration could be salvaged. In 1915 such a study was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Reclamation. The conclusion of that study was that it was possible to salvage water from the_closed basin. - ::-Une- of the-studt;; initiated byth;'Stateof Colorado::acting through the Coloiado~:C~~~' Water Board advocated a water resource development project in' the San Luis Valley following the execution of the Rio Grande Compact in 1938. In 1939 the board employed a"consulting engineer R. J. Tipton to study methods' by which Colorado' could ,~~'~- meet its compact commitments. The investigation culminated in a report entitled "San Luis Valley Project" which was included in a U.S. Department of the Interior report entitled "Reservoirs in the San Luis ValleY..cl'=ject."-, This report addressed Waoon Wheel GaD Reservn;r. Pl~t-nrn Q~~~run;r. MO'Jnt~ R9S'~~I'Qir. aRg thg C1Q!:99 BasiA Drain. A report on the San Luis Valley Project, was authorized in 1940 as described in H.D. 693, 76 Congress. This report covers the Conejos DiVision, Rio Grande Division, Weminuche Pass Division, and the Closed Basin Division. Congress SUbsequently authorized the construction of the San Luis Valley Project in 1941. However, action on the proposed project was delayed in World War II and the Korean conflict. Platoro Dam was completed in 1951, but has never been used as envisioned under the compact because of Colorado's debit status. In addition, Texas and New Mexico were unwilling to concur in the construction of t~e Wagon Wheel Gap Reservoir. wagon Wheel Gap Reservoir was later set aside because of opposition from Valley residents. The Bureau resumed its investigations in the early 1960s. Those studies found that 60,000 to 190,000 acre feet of water a year could be salvaged from the closed basin. On October 20, 1972, Public Law 92-514 was approved giving the Secretary of the