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Show ElGOulafioEiG on drought roliof to be implemented Commissioner of Reclamation, Rec-lamation, R. Keith Hlggins-ton, Hlggins-ton, recently announced that the policies and procedures to be followed by the Bureau of Reclamation for the administration ad-ministration of the 1977 drought legislation was published pub-lished in the 'Federal Register' Reg-ister' on April 14, 1977. As part of a comprehensive comprehen-sive $844 million drought assistance as-sistance package proposed by President Carter, these policies and procedures outline out-line how as much as $100 million authorized by the Emergency Drought Act of 1977 and $32.3 million in the Emergency Fund of 1948 will be administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. The funds will be used to augment, aug-ment, utilize, and conserve water supplies, and mitigate the adverse affects of the 1977 drought. The funds will be used to implement a 7 -part program: (1). A $75 million loan fund will be available to establish estab-lish water banks to assist water users to purchase water wa-ter from willing sellers. Under this program, water normally used for lower value annual crops can be redistributed for maintenance mainten-ance of higher value perennial peren-nial crops and foundation cattle herds. (2) . Funds will be available avail-able for loan to water user organizations on Federal Reclamation projects toun-dertake toun-dertake construction, develop de-velop wells, build pipelines, and engage in other activities to alleviate the impact of the drought. (3) . A maximum of $4.85 m illlon will be available for loans for construction and conservation activites on non -Federal irrigation projects. pro-jects. But, not more than $1 million can be used on any one project. (4) . Funds have been authorized au-thorized specifically for construction con-struction and conservation activities for Indian Irrigation Irriga-tion projects. Regulations regarding the administration administra-tion of this program will be issued separately. (5) . In addition to the aforementioned four reimbursable reim-bursable loan programs, two programs will provide grants. The first program, with a ceiling of $1,618,000, offers State water resource agencies up to $1 miUlonper State for drought emergency programs that provide benefits bene-fits of a widespread and diffuse dif-fuse nature. (6) . The second grantpro-gram grantpro-gram allows a maximum of i $10 million for the purchase of water tomltlgate damages to fish and wildlife resources. (7). Finally, studies will be conducted to identify ways to augument, utilize, or conserve con-serve water supplies and to develop plans to mitigate the effects of the recurrence of the current drought. The funds to be used for the 1977 Drought Program include $2,356,000, a carryover car-ryover from the Emergency Fund Act of June 26, 1949, and FY 1977 appropriation; $30 million for the FY 1977 supplemental appropriation; and $100 million for the Emergency Em-ergency Drought Act of 1977. The two latter amounts have been authorized, but not yet appropriated. The regulations identify the objective of the emergency emer-gency loans and deferments, establish rules for applicant eligibility, and explain the creation of the act and how It will be administered. Applications' for drought assistance on irrigation projects pro-jects should be directed to: L. E. Holmes, Division of Water and Land Operations, P. O. Box 11568, Salt Lake C ity, Utah 84147. Phone (801) 524-5438. |