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Show CHAPTER L - IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING Initiating the Program The implementation of the development program to fulfill the future needs of the Region requires immediate action to accelerate programs for water resources and related land development by over threefold. Most of the early action programs are continuations of those currently under- way. Though the Region has had one of the fastest growth rates in the Nation, and is one of the most critical water deficient areas, water resource development has progressed more slowly than that of most other areas. This slowness of response to the needs can be attributed largely to the sheer complexity of the problems, the magnitude of developments necessary to solve them, and the legal problems which have retarded the Region's ability to fully utilize its share of Colorado River water. While the latter has been partially resolved by authorized projects, the others such as funding continue to obstruct the Region's efforts "to meet its present needs or to implement programs to satisfy future needs. Consequently, the action programs have fallen far behind, resulting in the accumulation of a tremendous backlog of development needs. The timing of a program of water importation to the Region is most critical because implementation of many other elements of the framework program is dependent on an adequate and timely water supply. It is anticipated that a public information program will be a necessary and integral part of the early action program. It will be imperative that the public be made aware of the problems and of the foreseeable consequences created thereby; that all potentially feasible solutions be fully considered by the public; and that time be allowed for formation of public opinion. Determination of the public desire and public willingness to pay the cost of new developments must be effected before implementation of the proposed action program can be achieved. Funding The funding of existing programs would need to be accelerated by over threefold if all elements are to be completed by 1980. The $720 million Central Arizona Project, representing nearly 50 percent of the Federal portion of the regional early action program, is the principal authorized project needing acceleration. The funding schedule needed to catch up with the Region1s develop- ment needs has been spread over a 35-year period to year 2000. At that time, the Region1 s backlog of needs would essentially be satisfied and. the 2000 to 2020 funding program would need only to satisfy the needs arising during that 20-year period. 131 |