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The powers of the CWRPA are vested in a board of directors consisting of nine members who are appointed by the Governor, with consent of the Colorado Senate. Each di rector is chosen to represent a dra i nage bas in withi n the. State, as set forth in the statutes (CRS 9 39-95-64). The CWRPA is empowered to designate the Colorado Water Conservation Board (or other person or governmental agency) to act as its agent in connection with the planning, design, development, construction, management, operation, and participation in its projects (CRS ~ 37-95-106(k)(II)). It is also empowered to adopt rules and regulations for the use, manage- ment, and operation of any hydroelectric and water management facilities financed by the authority. Before any proposed project can receive considera- tion for construction funding by the CWRPA, the Colorado Water Conservation Board must first review the feasibility study of the proposed project, and the General Assembly must authorize the CWRPA to proceed to consider the construction of the project (CRS s 37-95-107(1)(a)). CWRPA does not have any statutory direction to include instream flow considerations for project construction or operation. The only opportunity for such consideration would be through CWRPA coordination activities with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. If instream flows were determined to be desirable benefits of any project, the CWCB would take steps to appropriate or acquire water rights under the provisions of the instream flow program, which it administers (CRS s 37-92-102(3)). This has not been done to date. Colorado Water Quality Control Commission The Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC), a commission within the Colorado Department of Health, is responsible for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and effective water pollution control program in the State (CRS S 25-8-201, 202). Members of the WQCC are appointed by the Governor. The WQCC cannot appropri ate waters for i nstream fl ows. However, the policies, rules, and regulations of the WQCC affecting water quality, including water quality standards, water use classifications, discharge permit require- ments, and other matters, raise certain questions regarding the desirability and practicality of maintaining stream flow conditions in stream segments. Water quality-quantity relationships are becoming an ever increasing concern as water use competition and growth continue, but at this time there is no direct statutory legal link between these two elements in the State of Colorado. OVERVIEW OF COLORADO WATER LAW--PRIOR APPROPRIATION Colorado, like many other Western States, administers water under the prior appropriation doctrine. Under this doctrine the person with the oldest properly adjudicated water rights has the first right to use the water. 10