1 Memorandum - RG - Interbasin Compacts

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

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d. Deliberation and mediation were essential to resolution of the great
problems.
e. Leaders must be ab le to convince others of their fairness, ability,
kindness and wisdom.
f. Encouragement of open discourse to disclose elements of each party's
agenda for diligent consideration was a factor.
g. Perseverance became the obsession.
h. Throughout the pro cess it was clear that oratory, legal analysis and
common sense were vital ingredients.

Negotiators:

While leadership is the foundation, likewise committed negotiators were
necessary to reach the final, successful outcome:

a. Ability to visualize th e future.
b. Spirit of trust, harmony and good will.
c. Trust among the negotiators to produce acceptable compromises.

Information:

Carpenter repeatedly underscored the necessity of accurate, credible
information as a basis for negotiations:

a. Accurate data/facts essential.
b. Compacts were grounded in extensive historical, hydrological and
engineering data.

c. Talented engineering support, acceptable to the parties and the federal
government was essential.

Keys to success
:

A review of severa l of Carpenter's successful compact negotiations reveals some
common themes:

a. Success in negotiation based on full disclosure, trust among the
participants, courteous and continuous debate in a private setting,
presentation of accurate data, and time .
b. The longer discussion continues and the more freely ideas can be
exchanged, the more likely the parties will drift towards a middle
ground in which all can and must agree. If there is accurate data and
negotiators are prepared to spend the time doi ng on - site surveillance,
water problems can be resolved in a manner beneficial to future
generations.