IBCC Vision Exercise - Discussion Summary and

• Title: IBCC Vision Exercise - Discussion Summary
• Date: 5/15/2008
• Interbasin CC - Doc Type: Correspondence/Memos

Additional policy issues were identified through the IBCC visioning process. These issues are
outlined below and areas of agreement and disagreement are highlighted. Extensive
information on these topics is included in the responses to Director Sherman's visioning
exercise and should be used as the basis for further investigation.
Incremental Developnient versus a Coordinated Regional Approach
Colorado's water laws and the history of our water supply development support incremental
development by individual providers. Coupled with the political sensitivity of water supply
development, this makes coordinated regional solutions difficult to implement. This may result
in inefficiencies and may not take into account broader public values or uses of water. Some
IBCC members believe we need to develop broader, more coordinated, and more
regional/ statewide approaches.
Water, Growth, and Land-Use
The IBCC agrees that there should be a stronger connection between water supply planning and
growth, land use, and economic development patterns. They are also in general agreement that
historically water is not the driving factor for the state's growth. However, there are different
opinions on the extent to which water and growth can and should be linked.
Planning and New Institutions
The IBCC is in general agreement that Colorado is not a state that has historically promoted or
supported state/ regional planning. Many of the institutions we have today are designed to
favor individual or local entities over regional or statewide planning. The IBCC is also in
general agreement that it will be difficult to implement a shared vision without broader
planning and/or state involvement. However, the IBCC has not discussed or come to
agreement on what new approaches, if any, are needed or how to develop them.
Role of the State of Colorado
The IBCC is in agreement that the state has a role to play in meeting our future water needs.
However, the IBCC would like to have further discussions on what that role should be. Ideas
range from incremental changes to existing planning, financing, and regulatory roles, to state
support for implementation of a broad water supply solution, to building a state water project.
The Role of Markets and Agriculture-to-Urban Transfers
The IBCC would like to further cnsider the role of markets in reallocating water between uses.
Some IBCC members believe markets are efficient and effective at reallocating resources and we
need to remove barriers to market transactions. However, others believe the current market
environment does not account for non-monetary values (i.e., food security, recreation,
environment, etc.) and therefore is not an effective tool for reallocating water between uses.
Financing Water Supply Strategies and Public Interests in Water
The IBCC is in general agreement that more than ever before we are trying to achieve broader
public interests in water. However, there is not general agreement on how broader water
supply strategies that achieve multiple objectives should be paid for. Some believe that the
public should help pay for solutions that meet broader objectives, while others believe only the
direct beneficiaries of a project should bear the cost.
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