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'j'f I,>J ~-"j "'"" - '.-' C-', ~ The type of conservation district proposed by the Legisla- ture can be of invaluable assistance to the state of Colorado in solving the water problems of the San Luis Valley. While it is the duty of the state to both defend the pending litigation and to protect and develop the water resources of the valley, the efforts of the state will be far more effective if there is unification of effort within the valley itself. The state government needs all the advice and assistance it can obtain from the valley residents. The formation of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, as proposed by the Legislature, would provide for a single governmental agency with which the State of Colorado could coordinate its efforts. It could also serve as the contractual agency with the united States. The federal legislation which has recently been prepared to authorize the Closed Basin project recognizes the Rio Grande Water Conservation District as the official agency of the San Luis Valley which must be consulted in connection with the operation of the Closed Basin project, in the event it is constructed. It will be an important step forward if the citizens of the valley act favorably upon creating a water conservation district at the election on September 12, 1967. 5. Preparation of federal legislation to authorize the Closed Basin Division of the San Luis valley Proiect. In 1906 the United States entered into a treaty with the Republic of Mexico by which the United States granted 60,000 acre- feet of water annually to BeJdco from the Rio Grande. While this treaty became a national obligation, the burden of delivery fell upon the States of Colorado, New r'1eJdco and Texas. In 1929 a temporary compact governing the use of the Rio Grande waters was concluded between the States of colorado, Ne\'l MeJdco and TeJ:as. This \~as not the same compact no\"! in effect between the same states, and is quoted here only for the purpose of historical background. Article II of the temporary compact of 1929 stated in part as follows: "(c) That \.,ith respect to the Rio Grande, the united states, \"!ithout obligation imposed by international la\"! and 'being moved by consideration of international comity', entered into a treaty dated Nay 21, 1906 (24 Stat. 2953) with the united States of r/leJdco \'lhich obligated the united Nemo -4- August 25, 1967