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Executive Summary <br />Colorado's growth and development as a state is intertwined with water. Development <br />and management of water is complex, controversial, and at times contentious. Decisions <br />regarding water have become increasingly complex as Colorado has e xperienced both <br />unprecedented population growth and a greater emphasis on multiple uses of this <br />precious resource. Water users, water managers, governmental and nongovernmental <br />organizations, and citizens have worked hard to help ensure that their interest s are <br />addressed when making water - related decisions. This dynamic has challenged us all to <br />identify new approaches and collaborative solutions. <br /> <br />This is the backdrop behind the collaborative Interbasin Compact Process established by <br />the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act. This process is based upon the premise that <br />Coloradans must work together to address the water needs within our entire state. The <br />Interbasin Compact Process creates a framework to encourage dialogue on water, <br />broaden the range of stak eholders actively participating in the state's water decisions, and <br />creates a locally driven process where the decision - making power rests with those living <br />in the state's river basins. <br /> <br />This report describes the details of the Interbasin Compact Process a nd outlines the <br />activities that will be undertaken in the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008). <br />The path forward for the Interbasin Compact Process builds on previous <br />accomplishments (summarized throughout this report and detailed in the Inte rbasin <br />Compact Committee Ann ual Report, October 31, 2006), and includes the following five <br />elements: <br />? <br /> <br />Continued Basin Roundtable and IBCC Meetings <br />? <br /> <br />Public, Education, Participation, and Outreach <br />? <br /> <br />Needs Assessments and Common Technical Platform <br />? <br /> <br />Water Supply Re serve Account <br />? <br /> <br />Identifying Multiple - Objective Collaborative Solutions <br /> <br />This report describes each of these elements. It outlines previous accomplishments, on - <br />going activities, and anticipated actions. The work of the Interbasin Compact Process is a <br />critic al step in meeting Colorado’s future water supply needs. Basin Roundtable and <br />IBCC members are to be commended for volunteering so much of their time, energy, and <br />creative thought to this process. <br /> <br /> 2 <br />