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<br />Questions arise as to how the courts can amend the Compact, and then the states must <br />agree before an amendment is ratified by Congress. Mr. Balcomb said that the safest <br />water supply is pre-1922 vested or absolute water rights not subject to call. Present <br />conditions call for a revision of our thinking. When the Compact was negotiated, there <br />was no storage before the feds got involved. Other questions remain. For example, when <br />a junior water user takes his water and then we get lower basin call, what happens next? <br />National politics often take precedent over the Compact. The proposed revised <br />hydrologic determination (HD) is a favorite project in Congress. New Mexico has used <br />its entire Colorado River allocation and need an increase in the hydrologic determination <br />for Navajo/Gallup Pipeline Project. How can this happen? Answer: Arithmetic makes it <br />possible, but that water has to come out of the average and makes the drought problem <br />worse. Scott added that the State SUppOltS New Mexico proposal if Southwestern Water <br />Conservation District's concerns are met. He said that we have to get something in return <br />fi'om New Mexico. Scott then responded to a couple of questions: <br /> <br />Q: What adjustments to Colorado water law could be made? <br />A: We don't know the answer. Maybe a statewide hydrologic determination. <br /> <br />Q: What is best way for the state to have that discussion? <br />A: Hal Simpson is working on a vehicle for that dialogue. <br /> <br />Next, Rick Brown presented an update ofSWSI ("Statewide Water Supply Initiative"): <br />Rick began by saying that SWSI supports the endangered species efforts, and added that <br />the process takes away some of the ugly in water discussion. SWSI is for taking stock. <br />Phase I SWSI was hard to get it off the ground. Now we need to find an adequate water <br />supply for both people and the environment. Phase I enjoyed broad representation, and <br />now, with Phase II, governmental entities are more involved. This second phase will go <br />to the basins to gather information. Phase II looks at what is the vision for each basin. <br />Where we are today and where we will be 30 years fi'om now. There is a water budget <br />that changes and we have to look at it in different ways. What are the components of that <br />budget? And how will each basin look at it differently? That water budget must be <br />looked at within the constraints of private ownership and protecting existing rights. <br />Markets are the key that encourage deals, and individuals make those decisions. The <br />closer we get to Colorado's full entitlement of the river, the more we put junior rights at <br />risk. What is practical? Think about the vision for your basin and water uses you want to <br />discourage. SWSI was similar to what HB 1177 Roundtables are being asked to do now. <br />Ways of meeting those needs will be discovered in Phase II ofSWSI. Colorado will need <br />a significant amount of water by 2030. Providers can meet 80% of that need, leaving <br />20% to find. We will have to monitor long-term water needs so this is a long term <br />process. SWSI will provide the technical and financial assistance to meet those needs, <br />while fostering cooperation. SWSI will examine and implement options to meet that <br />20% gap, while working on the issues not geographic boundaries. Rick concluded by <br />adding, now The Ugly: We must look at using water more efficiently, moving water <br />while doing the least amount of harm and developing new water resources. SWSI info is <br />not the end. Here are some ideas. Take them - they are a beginning. Try to secure an <br />economic future that meets the vision developed by the basin roundtable. The goal: <br />