2-07 House Committee Lay Over Unamended

Home Browse Search

2-07 House Committee Lay Over Unamended Page 41 of 49 conduct an analysis available and appropriated waters within the basin and propose projects for methods for meeting those needs and utilizing those unappropriated waters where appropriate. This is a tall order. While that sOli of internal basin assessment plan development is what is needed to move forward, getting to that point would require additional stmcture or framework that the roundtables can work within, along with financial and technical support for the assessment and plan development and implementation process. In talking about developing strategies for action we're talking about development of a plan. In Colorado's water history plan has often been seen as a four letter word. The idea of a state centered and state driven planning process does not fit well in Colorado. At the same time, without dialogue, cooperation and planning within the _ basins we see the development and implementation of strategies to meet state water needs brought to a standstill. The state of Colorado, primarily through CWCB has long stmggled to find its role in this process providing financial and technical suppOli for water planning and management efforts through individual loans and grants, as well as through larger efforts, such as decision suppOli systems and information collection prevented through the SWSI gap analysis. In developing a framework we can support the move for the basin roundtables from an advisory role to a leadership role within this process, these other states as well as other processes within Colorado provide some important lessons, particularly one the inclusion of some sort of deadlines or milestones that provide an incentive for the planning units to come together to find solutions rather than using the process to prevent solutions from being found. Second that the individual basins would need to determine for themselves which issues are preeminent and can be addressed within a reasonable timeframe. For example, if there's a lawsuit pending that may take certain issues off the table. However, clear identification of the scope of the issues to be addressed within a timeframe for each basin is critical. Equally critical, perhaps more so is development of leaders within the group who are committed to keeping the process moving forward and can negotiate on behalf of the interest they are representing. This includes water rights holders, present of facilitators who can maintain an atmosphere of tmst and goodwill www.escriptionist.com Page 41 of 49