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<br />The Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) will provide the foundational data for the <br />roundtables once negotiations begin. SWSI ensures that all sides are aware of the ulture <br />water needs and demands through out the state. With everyone working with the same <br />set of data, the trust among negotiators can grow while fear of concealment by both sides <br />is minimized. Success will depend on the commitment of all parties, and the consistent <br />political and financial support by those parties. Crises over which people have no control <br />could lead to ultimate failure. Progress from those involved requires unanimous <br />agreement. <br /> <br />Even though each roundtable and its members will be responsible for negotiating any <br />compact or project within the basin, there must be as much input from non-members as <br />possible. The greater the dialogue among all concerned groups and individuals, the <br />greater will be the legitimacy of any plan or solution developed by the roundtable. The <br />IBCC and Basin Roundtables can also use their positions to educate citizens who know <br />little about the water issues facing the state. This is meant to be a public process, with the <br />roundtables and the IBCC disseminating information about what they are doing and what <br />they seek to accomplish for the citizens of their basin and the state. <br /> <br />Currently, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is helping with the initial stages <br />of creating the basin roundtables. DNR has sent out letters to interested groups and <br />municipalities asking for their nominations for initial members of the basin roundtables. <br />DNR is also in the process of creating information packets that will be given to these <br />initial members who will be responsible for drafting their basin roundtable's bylaws. <br /> <br />Included in the packet will be a sample set of bylaws designed to start discussion among <br />each roundtable about the specific needs of each, a list of areas that each roundtable <br />should specifically address on their own, and sections that are required for statutory <br />reasons. DNR will provide guidance on any issue that may arise while each roundtable is <br />drafting bylaws. Once the roundtables begin to meet, they will also be appointing their <br />two representatives to the Interbasin Compact Committee. <br /> <br />I have been appointed as the director of Compact Negotiations by Governor Owens, and <br />will serve as the chairperson of the committee. The IBCC will discuss and begin drafting <br />a charter at the first meeting. DNR will be involved in this process as well. We plan to <br />have a rough charter developed when the IBCC meets for the first time in November of <br />this year to help facilitate discussion about what the representatives believe should and <br />should not be in the charter that will be sent to the General Assembly. February is the <br />current target date for submission of the IBCC charter to the General Assembly for <br />ratification. <br /> <br />Once the IBCC charter has been ratified by the General Assembly, the roundtables may <br />begin negotiating with each other. It is hoped that all citizens of Colorado will be served <br />if the basins work together to develop water storage projects within the state to help meet <br />future demands. <br />