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<br />. <br />, <br /> <br />3_, "J3 <br />~3~J ~d <br /> <br />u"OO <br />r> 'J. rf) . ..n <br />1) \7' <br />~l,\o' <br /> <br />COLORADO'S ROLE IN EMERGING WATER <br />POLICY ON THE COLORADO RIVER <br /> <br />by James S. Lochhead. <br /> <br />Presented to the Colorado Water Congress <br />1993 Summer Convention <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The Colorado River is one of the focal points of issues of Western water policy. There <br />is a new convergence of local and regional issues that will result in changes in the way the River <br />is managed and used. The Congress and the Administration are both looking at these issues, <br />waiting to see if state and local interests can resolve them or if there needs to be a "federal <br />solution" imposed. As a result, Colorado needs to affirm our fundamental principles and <br />strategies for addressing those issues in a proactive manner. We must step forward with locally- <br />generated solutions that will move the West forward in positive directions: economically and <br />environmentally. <br /> <br />This article will discuss the background of why Colorado River issues have come to the <br />forefront of national attention. It will also advocate and seek input on a proposed set of <br />principles and strategies that can guide Colorado's position, and a proactive Colorado proposal <br />to address those issues. Those principles and strategies, discussed in more detail later in this <br />article, are summarized as follows: <br /> <br />. There need not, should not, be a reallocation of the apportionments to the Upper <br />and Lower Basins established under the Colorado River Compact of 1922. <br /> <br />. The historic yields of existing water projects must be protected. <br /> <br />. The Lower Basin States should develop solutions within the Lower Basin to <br />Lower Basin water supply allocation issues. <br /> <br />. At the same time, Colorado and the other Upper Division States should be willing <br />to address issues of operational flexibility of Colorado River system reservoirs to <br /> <br />.Shareholder, Leavenworth & Lochhead, P.C.; Governor's Representative on Colorado <br />River Operations; Colorado Commissioner, Upper Colorado River Commission; Member, <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board. , <br /> <br />I <br />