State of State Info - Interbasin Compact Proce

• Title: Governor's State of the State
• Date: 1/1/2006
• IBCC - Doc Type: Articles & Speeches

Interbasin Compact Process
Governor's State-of-the-State

January 2006

The Interbasin Compact process established by the Colorado Water for the 21 st Act (HB-
1177) is being fully implemented. Nine basin roundtables are established throughout the
state. Roundtable membership is meeting the Act's goal of being broadly inclusive. Two
hundred and ninety six Coloradans are serving as roundtable members bringing a
diversity of interests, backgrounds, experiences, and geographic perspectives to
Colorado's water discussions. Roundtable participants also include representatives from
eight different state and federal agencies, and the involvement of 24 non-voting members
bringing a cross-basin perspective to each roundtable. The roundtable meetings are being
held on a regular basis, are well attended, and have a high level of discourse and
engagement. Meetings have been marked by competitive elections for the at-large seats,
spirited debates about their decision-making and operating procedures, and constmctive
analysis as members begin to examine their water interests and how this process can
move the state forward. Figure One summarizes the roundtables' work.

Figure One: Roundtable Meeting Summary Data (as of 12/15/05)

Roundtable Meetings Held 31 in all 9 basins and in 21 different cities
Number of Roundtable Members Arkansas 53
Colorado 34
Dolores/SM/SJ 32 (including 2 Tribes)
Gunnison 33
Metro 25
North Platte 15
Rio Grande 30
South Platte 51
Yampa/White 23
Total 296
Non-Voting Cross Basin Participation 24
Federal and State Agency Liaisons 19 from 8 agencies
CSU Cooperative Extension Liaisons 11
Work Accomplished:
. 214 appointing authorities made appointments
. House and Senate Agriculture Committees appointed 9 legislative seats
. Filled 89 of the 90 at -large seats through competitive elections
. All of the roundtables chose temporary or permanent chairs
. 42 individuals serving on 9 by-law committees
. All of the roundtables chose their 2 IBCC Representatiyes
. 2 Roundtable began their basin-wide ,yater needs assessment with an initial SWSI presentation

The Colorado Water for the 21 st Century Act also established the Interbasin Compact
Committee (IBCC). The Governor has appointed Russell George as the Director of
Compact Negotiations, the roundtables have chosen their IBCC representatives, and by