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VI. REGIONAL VIEWS OF PRESENT AND EMERGING NATIONAL ISSUES All water and relaLed land programs are weighed by the indi- vidual citizens for the impact they will have upon his lifestyle. National concerns respond to the majoriLY viewpoint of Nacion and State and local programs respond cO the majority viewpoinc of their cicizenry. Nacurally chere will be some difference in viewpoints as there exists differences in cultures, lifescyles, aspirations, and resources. . Support for basic needs are generally recognized such as food, clothing, shelter, proteccion from calamicies and recreational oUclet. Programs to assure the meeting of these needs must be formulaced within che bounds of maintaining a sLrong Nacional economy and a balance becween development and the environ- ment. The Rio Grande Region is considered basically rural, however, 67 percenc of the population is urban and 68 percenc of che urban populacion is concentrated in eighc of the larger cities. Agricul- cure is a basic industry that supports the urban population. Live- stock grazing (ranching) and incensive irrigated crop production comprise che main agricultural enterprise. The regional viewpoint therefore reflects concern about agricultural water supplies. The region is experiencing a surge in migracion to its sun country environm~nt. Mining, mineral processing, and manufac~uring is looked to for providing employment for the growing population. Energy is available to support these industries, but water supply is a basic concern. Conservation of the almost complecely commitced water supplies is required. As the water supplies are used and re-used, water qualiLY deteriorates. Water quality is a currenc issue that presents a worsening potential. There has been idencified within the region large non-beneficial water loss from evaporation and phreatophYLe Lranspiration. Reduction of Lhese losses to improve water quality and supply conflicts with environmental and wildlife interescs. Resolution of these trade-offs is a regional and Nacional issue. The monitoring of water supplies and analysis of pending prob- lems relies upon an array of basic data as have been slli~arized in these SRF reports. The National daca have been summarized on hydro- logic boundaries. Water administration relates to State bou~daries. Much of the data presented in che modified Central Case Studies is of no value in Scate consideraLions. The summarizacion and analysis of these data is a StaLe and National issue. The States of the Rio Grande region recommend Lhat data be related to bOch hydrologic and Scace boundaries. 003126 78