WSP09089

• File Number: 8064
• Description: Section "D" General Federal Issues/Policies - Indian Water Rights
• Date: 1/1/3000
• Title: Water Conservation and Western Water Resource Management ‎(Western States Water Council Research Proposal)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

0887

of~n been misunderstood.

~ definition of

. .
but its essence ras

water conservation includes the capture of flood waters to increase

the firm supply available for distribution and use. Such water

augmentation activities to develop ~ supplies are indispensab1e

if the West is to continue to grow. Under the Carter Administration,

water conservation was defined as the efficie~t use of existing

water supplies (designed as an alternative to future development).

Many western statas objected to the President's narrow approach

to water conservation.

The nature and role of water conservation needs to be defined

and carefully evaluated. Large multipurpose water development

projects are becoming less and less feasible from an economic,
environmental and politica1 standpoint. Never"heless, competing

demands on the West's water ~esources continue to grow. Population,

energy development, irrigation, recreation, water quality, fish

and wildlife, and aesthetic uses are multiplying. Moreover, while

the wise use of existing and future water supplies will always

be imperative, there are limitations to the benefits that can be

derived from measures to promote more efficier.t use.

Water conservation efforts must be viewed comprehensively

in the context of complex physical, legal, so:ial, economic and

environmental factors. The states are primarily responsible for

water reSource management. The Western States Water Council

proposes to cond~ct a study of western states ?erceptions with

regard to water conservation. The traditiona~ ro1e of storage

projects wi11 be :escribed as it relates to the wise use of western

-2-