3 Internal Draft - Institutional Framework for

• Title: Colorado’s Interbasin Compact Negotiations: Development of an Institutional Framework - Process Overview
• Date: 12/17/2004
• Author: Russell George, Frank McNulty, Peter Nichols, Eric Hecox
• IBCC - Doc Type: Program Planning, Budget & Contracts

Revised: 7/26/2007
Institutional Framework for Interbasin Compact Negotiations

Internal Draft

The Steering Committee

Summary
The Colorado Interbasin Compact Steering Committee will include broad representation
incorporating water interests within the state of Colorado. The Steering Committee will establish
the st ructure for Interbasin Compact Negotiations, oversee and facilitate the negotiation process,
and provide oversight for public education and outreach programs.

Members
The Governor will appoint the Director of Compact Negotiations (the Director) who will s erve as
the head of the 25 - member Steering Committee.

16 members of the Steering Committee will come from the basins. Each of the 8 Basin
Roundtables (see below) will select 2 members.

The Governor will appoint eight additional Steering Committee me mbers. These appointments
will be used to ensure a balance of agencies and interests are represented on the Steering
Committee. The Steering Committee will include environmental, municipal, agricultural,
industrial, and recreational representatives.

R esponsibilities
The Steering Committee will have the following responsibilities:

1. Establish foundational principals that negotiating basins must agree to;

2. Establish a framework for Interbasin Compact Negotiations;

3. Create a list of Compact Negotiator Nominee s from which the Director will choose
Compact Negotiators;

4. Provide guidance throughout the negotiation process;

5. Ensure the availability of technical information and data;

6. Oversee the Interbasin Compact Negotiation financial resources; and

7. Establish and ove rsee a public education/outreach process.

Powers
The Steering Committee will have:
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The power to create Working Groups to assist the Committee in fulfilling its
responsibilities. Members of the Working Groups can include Committee Members
and/or independe nt experts as appointed by the Committee.
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The power to nominate Compact Negotiators.
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Control of the Interbasin Compact Negotiation budget.
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The ability to commission technical advisors and further research.

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