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I I I I I I I I I I I I I " I I I I I I Executive Summary This report cannot possibly cover all the issues of concern in the Colorado River basin. The basin is vast and diverse geographically, ethnically, and politically. Conflicts over water are part of its history, as water has been the defining resource in the settlement and development of the Colorado River basin. A complex set of laws, a treaty, court decrees, contracts, agreements, regulations and traditions of use have evolved over this past century which have governed water policy and management decisions. Over the last few decades, new social values have emerged in the basin and across the country which reflect an appreciation of the important functions of river systems along with a desire to preserve this natural heritage for succeeding generations. In addition, the residents of the basin states, and those who visit, take advantage of the natural beauty of the Colorado River basin to recreate in increasing numbers, rafting, hiking, fishing, and boating on or near the lakes, rivers and streams that make up the watersheds of the basin. Today, recreation and tourism are major elements of the economy of every basin state. The growing constituencies for recreation, tourism, and conservation values conflict on occasion with the traditional view that the first prioirty must be to store and deliver water for people, to grow food, produce electricity and for other commercial uses. The incredible growth that is continuing in the basin means more water must be found for these uses from an uncertain and limited supply. Someday, new technology and the economics of water development may free up new supplies by cost-effective desalinization or other technological breakthroughs, but these are not yet on the horizon. Yet decisions need to be made in the coming years as to how existing water supplies and apportionments can be utilized in a more efficient and equitable way to meet these growing needs within the sustainable limits of the ecosystem. As we enter the 21st century, these conflicting values also must be reconciled with those held by Native Americans, who have lived the longest in the basin and hold the most senior rights to water in most cases. The Winters decision by the Supreme Court was issued almost 90 years ago -- in 1908 -- but today most of the Indian communities and reservations in the basin hold only paper rights or claims to their share of the basin's water resources. The next generation of leaders in the basin and in Washington must make substantial progress toward meeting these legal and equitable obligations. Settling these claims, which is a national obligation, and sharing the wealth that water brings to the basin with its Native American citizens must become a reality. Water management decisions must involve tribes as equal partners and institutions developed that effectuate this partnership.