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, '.'"t. f;:} rd A.. ! <;~',.fl. J;\'~l , :) ,;",j The FY 1978 appropriation for the project totaled $574,000. As of February, 1978, about one-half of a 42-hole exploration drilling program was completed, which includes permanent observation wells to monitor the confined aquifer. A contract has been prepared to drill and conduct pump tests at five to ten test well locations in the south- ern part of the project area. b re-evaluation of available surfac~ waters for salvage is nearing completion. Land surveys in stages I and II have been completed. Work presently under way or scheduled for the remainder of this fiscal year includes U. S. Geological Survey aquifer modeling studies; surveys of vegetation and wetlands; land surveys; drilling programs; and engineering studies for development of the Definite Plan Report. The Administration's budget for FY 1979 includes $500,000 for the Closed Basin Project. Advance planning studies will be continued. The Definite Plan Report and the Praft and Final Environmental Impact Statement are scheduled for completion in FY 1979. Local SUPPort There is strong local support for the project. The project is being supported by the Rio Grande Water conservation District, the Conejos Water Conservancy District, the San Luis Valley Water Conser- vancy District, the Rio Grande Water Users Aqsociation, the San Luis Valley Irrigation Well Owners, Inc., and num8xous other organizations and entities. It is a reasonable assumption that at least 90 percent of the water users in the San Luis Valley support the project. The substantial support which has always existed fOr project construction has increased considerably in recent years. This in- creased support has resulted largely from the unfortunate effects of the pending case of Texas and New Mexico v. Colorado. As a result of this case, the Colorado State Engineer has been forced to curtail water uses in ColOrado. This reduction in wator diversions has caused severe financial hardships, particularly to well owners who for the mOst part have junior decrees. The well owners are now attempting to raise approximately one million dollars to purchase surface water rights to replace the junior water being pumped from wells. If the Closed Basin project were constructed, it would not be necessary for the well owners to bear this heavy financial burden. Considerable additional support for the project by the valley residents came about through the incorporation of numerous safeguards in the authorizing legislation (P.L. 92-514; 86 Stat. 964), as follows. 1. No project wells, other than observation wells, shall be permitted to penetrate the aquiclude, or first confining clay layer. 2. Construction of any stage of the project after stage one can be undertaken only with the consent of the Colorado Water Conservation Board" and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. -3-