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<br />streams for recreational purposes. These recommendations may in some cases <br /> <br />be greater than the existing stream flows. Provision of the recommended <br />flows would require the allocation of storage in existing and future reser- <br />voirs for stream flows from other sources of supply. Since the water supplies <br />in the South Platte River basin are currently overappropriated, the provision <br />of water for fish and wildlife and recreational purposes would require maJor <br />expenditures. Better management of existing resources, including reuse, may <br />provide opportunities for providing the required water. <br />Tbe Forest Service has Joined western slope interests in a court test of <br />Colorado's conditional decree system. Conditional decrees have been estab- <br />lished by Front Range interests on western slope water currently being used <br />for agricultural purposes. Under the State Constitution, the beneficial <br />uses to which the water are intended along the Front Range rank higher in <br />priority than the agricultural or fish and wildlife uses along the western v <br />slope. The Federal Government has in effect challenged state law regarding <br />the conditional decree system. <br />Implementation of recommendations in the National Water Commission Report <br />to the President will likely lead to less federal participation in the <br />developnent of water resources. The federal role will likely be that of a <br />manager of the national interest. The construction role will be assumed by <br />the states and special purpose districts. <br />REUSE AND SUCCESSIVE USE <br />When discussing water reuse in the South Platte River basin in Colorado, <br />the real question is how the water is reused and not whether it will be reused. <br />Perhaps successive use of water in the South Platte River basin is the better <br />term. Traditionally, the term reuse is reserved for the wastewater that has <br />received tertiary treatment and is then recycled for use once again in the <br />14 <br />