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<br /> <br />0[.1197 <br /> <br />December, 1948 <br /> <br />THE GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF <br />THE STATE OF COLORADO <br /> <br />There is herewith submitted the Arkansas River Compact which was nego' <br />tiated and signed by the Commissioners representing the States of Colorado and <br />Kansas, and approved by the Federal representative on "the 14th day of December, <br />1948. This Compact accomplishes two major purposes: (a) It settles existing <br />disputes and removes 'causes of future controversy between the two States, and <br />between the citizens of one State as against citi~ens of the other State concerning <br />the waters of the Arkansas River as well as their control, conservation and use <br />for irrigation and other bene6cial purposes; (b) It equitably apportions between <br />the two States the waters of the Arkansas River as well as the benefits arising from <br />the construction, operat_ion and maintenance by the United States of John Martin <br />Reservoir for water conservation purposes. <br /> <br />The Colorado Commissioners submit: <br /> <br />1, That this Compact is fair and provides an equitable apportionment <br />of such waters between the States of Colorado and Kansas, <br /> <br />2, That it definitely settles disputes, controversies and litigation which <br />have continued for more than fifty years last past, . <br /> <br />3. That it establishes a fair and practicable method qf use and appor' <br />tionment of waters stored in John Martin Reservoir for consummatiol1 pur' <br />poses, _.. "", ...1 (';1 ;'. /t /' /,,'~, <br /> <br />4. That it will protect and improve existing water rights and present <br />use of Arkansas River water. <br /> <br />5. That its provisions do not violate or impinge upon the provisions <br />of the Colorado River Compact in that it does not consider or deal with any <br />water imported or to be imported into the Arkansas River Basin. <br /> <br />6. That it does not prevent the proper development of the proposed <br />Gunnisoll'~rkansas Project. <br /> <br />7. That it recognizes and provides for improvement of water rights <br />in Colorado above John Martin Reservoir and assures water users in Colorado <br />below said Reservoir with a greatly improved and regulated water supply. <br /> <br />8. That it is in the best interests of the State of Colorado and its <br />citizens, and is necessary-to a'ccomplish development of a major water resource <br />of C<?lorado, . <br /> <br />Accordingly, the Colorado 'Commissioners respectfully recommend and urge <br />that it be ratified by the General AS'sembly and approved by the Governor of the <br />State of Colorado. <br /> <br />, The Compact was executed in triplicate original. One original has been <br />delivered to the Governor of Colorado. A copy of the Compact, together wit~ <br />explanatory material, is attached hereto, <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />HENRY C. VIDAL <br />GAIL L. IRELAND <br />HARRYB, MENDENHALL <br />Commissioners for Colorado <br /> <br />2 <br />