WSP09274

• File Number: 8210.110.60
• Description: Colorado River Water Users Association
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 5/1/1947
• Author: CRWUA
• Title: Proceedings of the 1947 Conference
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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6. The Repol"t is insound in that it a,ttempts to present a
comprehensive developme!!t plan, but ig'~ores the elemental'Y fact
that the desired orderly development will result from the construe't-
, ion from time to time of individual projects which upon full and
complete investigation prove to be feasible, justified and needed
and which will be desired by local beneficiaries after their repay-
ment obligations are known.

7. The Report is unsound in recommending that all seven
of the states of the Colorado River Basin jointly agree upon a determ-,
ination of their respective rights to deplete the flow of the Solorado
River before major development may proceed. The Colorado River
Compact apportions water between the Upper Basin and the Lower Basin.
Neither basin is concerned with the apportionment between states of
the share allocated to the other 'basin and neither basin should be
restricted or delayed in its development by the failure of the other
basin states to divide the water apportioned to that basin by the
Colorado River Compact. Colorado recognizes the desirability of
an allocation of water to the individ~al states comprising the Upper
Basin. While it is true that compact negotiations are in progress
among the states of the Upper Basin and that the construction of
additional major projects should await allocation of water to the
states. there are projects which will assuredly use water falling
well within the equitable share of the state where located and which
should not be made to await any final allocation of water.

8. The Report is unsound imimplying that each individual
state should allocate water to specific projects within such state.
Colorado adheres to the appropriation doctrine of water law and
ther,eunder water users are entitled to water in accordance with the
priority of their individual appropriations. Any change in such
system in Colorado will require a constitutional amendment.

9. The Report in unsound in that it recommends that the
states approve projects for the so-called stage of development without
there being available at the same time adequate data and i1formation
for the determination of the desirability. economic feasibility or
probability of authorization and construction of individual projects.
Only in instances where detailed investigations are completed and
individual project reports are available can there be a worthwhile
selection of any projecb.

10. The Report is unsound in that it cOl1;t'~l'i'1l'lates a general
group authorization of projects for construction rather than a
specific authorization of individual projects.

Colorado believes that each and all of the foregoing views are
fundamental and important and recommends that the Report be moiified
to conform therewith. The Report is a good inventory of development

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