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Colorado River Conflicts: Forcing Colorado to Face Reality? Carroll E. Multz Chairman, Upper Colorado River Commission Despite what the program reflects, the topic that I will address will be "The Federal Role On The Colorado River." Before delving into that topic, however, I would like my predecessor, the former United States Commissioner and Chairman of the Upper Colorado River Commission, Jack Ross, to stand and be recognized. Jack would you please stand. At the last meeting of the Commission in Salt Lake City several weeks ago a resolution was passed recognizing and commending Jack for his dedication throughout his many years of service not only for the Commission, but for all of the Western United States. As the newly appointed Federal representative and Chairman of the Upper Colorado River Commission it is a distinct privilege for me to address the 17th Annual Colorado Water Workshop. An unforeseen conflict prevented the former Colorado State Engineer, Dr. Jeris Danielson from attending today, thus giving me the opportunity to address this body. The program reflects that Dr. Danielson's remarks would have addressed the topic "Forcing Colorado to Face Reality." Let me emphasize that I will not endeavor to reflect the views that Dr. Danielson might have shared with you. As the Federal representative to a multi-state commission whose budget is sustained by the states, I shall have to leave it to others to talk about forcing Colorado or any of the other upper basin states, for that matter, to face reality. After all, I do know who approves my check. On the other hand, I thought it might be useful if I did describe at least a part of the reality that those who would seek to market Colorado River water on an interstate basis will face, and that is the unavoidable presence of the Federal government on the Colorado River. The notion of interstate marketing will be addressed by several speakers in the next two days, first by representatives of Native Americans and then on Friday by representatives of several of the seven basin states. It is not my purpose to engage in the lively debate that is apt to unfold before you on Thursday and again on Friday. Rather, I will only attempt to offer a broad framework within which one can relate to the particulars that subsequent speakers will be addressing. I am, after all, representing the Federal sector and here only to inform. I find it useful to characterize the federal role on the Colorado River as having three components: (1) Reservoir operations and administration of water deliveries in accordance with the interstate compacts, Federal statutes, decrees of the United States Supreme Court and the Mexican Water Treaty, which are collectively referred to as the "Law of the Riveri" (2) The Secretary of the Interior's trust responsibilities for Native Americansi and (3) Administration and compliance with Federal environmental regulatory statutes. 29