Laserfiche WebLink
Revised: 7/26/2007 <br />Institutional Framework for Interbasin Compact Negotiations <br /> <br />Internal Draft <br /> <br /> <br />Process Overview <br /> <br />It is declared to be the policy of the state of Colorado that all areas of the state must <br />cooperate to ensure an adequate supply of water to equitably meet the needs of present <br />and future generations. In order to meet such needs of all Coloradoans, to remove causes <br />of present and future controversies, to support Colorado’s agricultural heritage, to protect <br />Colorado’s natural environment, to supply Colorado’s growing populations, to cultivate <br />the state’s economic development, and to foste r the beneficial use of the state’s compact <br />entitlements, it is further declared to be the policy of the state of Colorado that river <br />basins and sub - basins shall negotiate agreements regarding the equitable division of the <br />state’s waters, including terms a nd conditions to mitigate water transfers. <br /> <br />This legislation creates the institutional framework within which Compact Negotiators <br />can negotiate such agreements. The proposed institutional framework includes Basin <br />Roundtables, a newly created Interbasin C ompact Steering Committee (the Steering <br />Committee), and Compact Negotiators who negotiate Interbasin Compacts. <br /> <br />The 25 - member the Steering Committee is at the center of this institutional framework. <br />The Steering Committee is headed by the Director of Comp act Negotiations (the <br />Director) who is appointed by the Governor. The remainder of the Steering Committee is <br />comprised of 16 members selected by the basins through the basin roundtables; and 8 <br />members appointed by the Governor to ensure that a balance of interests are represented <br />on the Steering Committee. <br /> <br />The Steering Committee has three main responsibilities. The first is to establish a <br />framework for Interbasin Compact Negotiations. This includes establishing foundational <br />principles, establishing th e rules and format for negotiations, providing technical <br />assistance, and controlling the budget. The second is to nominate Compact Negotiators <br />who will represent the basins during Interbasin Compact Negotiations. The Director will <br />choose the Compact Nego tiators from this list of nominees. The third responsibility is to <br />establish and oversee a Public Education/Outreach Working Group. This Working Group <br />will be responsible for educating the public as well as providing a mechanism for public <br />input. <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />