Page 11

the area is in need of river regulation and conservation of additional water to serve the expanding needs. The proposed Dixie Project is designed to satisfy many of the immediate needs. Summary--As the population of the Pacific southwest has grown, the area has become an important and dynamic segment of the Nation's economy. The water supply problems have grown in complexity and cost until they are now of national significance. Works of unprecedented scope and magnitude must be undertaken to sustain the present economy and provide for future growth. Effects of the Arizona-California Boundary Settlement The States' common boundary has become undefined because of changes in the main channel of the Colorado River. The administration and enforcement of the laws and rights of the United States and the two States accordingly have become difficult. As a result, essential channelization work has been impeded, fish and wildlife programs forestalled, and needed recreational areas not developed. Recently, the legislatures of the States of Arizona and California approved an interstate compact fixing their common boundary. While the compact cannot become effective until approved by the Congress, agreement by the States affords a basis for planning beneficial developments along the river. Upon approval of the compact by the Congress, plans can be implemented which will result in conservation and salvage of water, better fisheries, wildlife habitats, and recreational areas. Resolving the judicial and jurisdictional problem will also aid future Federal and State planning and development along the boundary. Future Water Needs It is apparent that the expanding water needs of the Pacific Southwest can be met in the future only through the construction of complex and costly water-resource development and conveyance facilities. The era of low-cost water in this area has, for all practical purposes, come to an end. Agricultural--Although millions of acres of highly productive lands are available for development throughout the Pacific Southwest, it is obvious that the expansion of the irrigated acreage is generally precluded by the high cost of making additional water available by import or desalting. It is equally apparent that the agricultural economy now established must be sustained for its contribution to the economy of the area and of the Nation. While a supply is not assumed for any increase in irrigated acreage, except on Indian reservations and where a local undeveloped supply is available, supplemental water will only be made available to maintain the present agricultural economy. These conditions would not exist on the various Indian reservations throughout the Pacific Southwest where water supplies have been reserved for II-11 719-078 O - 64 - 4 CEpson Perfection 4870 Photo, 400 dpi, 8 bit, 13,969,408 byte