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<br />Chapter 5 <br /> <br />Conclusions and Recommendations <br /> <br />":,:: <br /> <br />In the preceding chapters we describe the competition for scarce water and <br />related resources in the Upper Rio Grande Basin, identifY some of the major <br />problems associated with the competition, and examine the various roles the <br />federal government has played in contributing and responding to these <br />problems. In this chapter we draw on this information to develop <br />recommendations for steps the federal government might take to respond to <br />problems more thoroughly and efficiently in the future. Before proceeding, <br />however, we emphasize the following points to allay fears that this study <br />covers policies and actions outside federal purview. We make no <br />recommendation whatsoever regarding the resource-management policies <br />. and actions of non-federal entities. We specifically are NOT making <br />recommendations regarding: <br /> <br />",' <br /> <br />'.' <br /> <br />'..,~ <br />~'4.J <br />~: <br /> <br />1. The content or administration of the water laws of the individual <br />states. . <br /> <br />.:, <br /> <br />2. The responsibilities and rights of resource owners, including owners of <br />water rights. <br /> <br />3. The substantive aspects of disputes among federal, state, local, and <br />private entities (although we do make recommendations for steps that <br />might accelerate their resolution). <br /> <br />4. How specific resources should be used. <br /> <br />--.~ <br />.---"" <br /> <br />:; <br /> <br />Ai!. in the previous chapters, our discussion cuts through multiple, <br />intertwined issues and, hence, the separation of one recommendation from <br />the others is necessarily somewhat arbitrary. We encourage the reader to <br />consider each recommendation in the context ofthe others. We also <br />encourage the reader to keep in mind that the term "value" is employed in a <br />broad sense, referring to goods and services associated with the Basin's <br />water and related resources that are measured in monetary terms, such as <br />bales of hay produced from irrigated fields, and those that are not monetized, <br />such as spiritual fulfillment derived from some streams. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />A. Federal Policies and Actions Should Reflect the Ecosystem's <br />Complex Role in a Complex Economy <br /> <br />We intend this recommendation to provide fundamental guidance for future <br />federal policies and actions in this Basin. It has two essential features. The <br /> <br />i:r3 '.' 7 <br />'t \.1 ..J. <br /> <br />127 <br />