Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Compact Protects Colorado's Future <br /> <br />Page 2 of2 <br /> <br />_' The Compact is the foundation upon which large federal reservoirs, such as Lake Mead, Lake <br />Powell, Blue Mesa, Navajo and Flaming Gorge were built and are operated. These reservoirs hold water <br />for use in the Upper Basin, and for delivery to the Lower Basin. <br />_' The security for future development, and operating flexibility of these and other reservoirs, allows <br />for water to be managed in environmentally-friendly ways. The Upper Basin states are working hard to <br />recover endangered fish species in the River. This program would not be possible without the <br />operational framework of the Compact. <br />__Contrary to popular perception, California has not been using "Colorado's" water. California has in <br />recent years been using about 5.2 million acre feet of water per year, as against its entitlement of 4.4 <br />million acre feet per year. But until this year, California was using Arizona's and Nevada's unused <br />entitlements, not the Upper Basin's. The Lower Basin as a whole was still within its basic <br />apportionment under the Compact. This year, because of recent wet years and full reservoirs, the Lower <br />Basin will use over 8 million acre feet, as against its 7.5 million acre foot apportionment. Anticipating <br />this increased use, Colorado has taken steps to protect our position under the Compact. <br />-In 1991, Colorado led the other six Colorado River Basin states in insisting that California go on a <br />"water diet" to get its use back to its basic apportionment. We put California water users on notice that <br />we would expect them to live within California's apportionment -- and abide by the Compact. With the <br />backing of Interior Secretary Babbitt, California has acknowledged its legal responsibility and is <br />working on a "4.4 Plan" to do just that. Implementing the California 4.4 Plan will not only reduce <br />California's overreliance on Colorado River water, but also it will affirm for Colorado and the other <br />Upper Basin states the protections afforded to us under the Compact. <br />_Colorado's position has been that Lower Basin water allocation problems, such as California's <br />overuse and Nevada's future needs, should be solved in the Lower Basin. <br />_These Lower Basin problems should not be solved at the expense of the Upper Basin. Secretary <br />Babbitt's proposal to allow water banking -- not water transfers -- between Lower Basin states is <br />consistent with Colorado's position. The proposal deserves our support. <br />--But we should not entertain any proposal to market Colorado's future by marketing our water. We <br />must stick to our strategy of protecting Colorado's rights under the Compact. Ifwe deviate, we will <br />throwaway all the protection the Compact affords us, that was carefully negotiated for Colorado and has <br />been guarded by our leaders for 75 years. To risk the loss of the protection of the Colorado River <br />Compact would be folly. This is especially true now that California is making an effort to reduce its <br />water use and with the advent of Lower Basin water banking. That would be irresponsible to both <br />present Coloradans and future generations. <br /> <br />Please send comments, questions or requests for more information on this subject to edo. <br /> <br />[Return to CDNR News] <br /> <br />http://www.dnr.state.co.us/cdnr_news/edo/98011591924.html <br /> <br />9/12/2006 <br />