9674 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COLORADO RIVER COMPACT WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTION November 2, 1995 FINAL REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 3 manner. Given the relative size of Colorado's compact apportionment (3.079 to 3.855 MAF) in comparison to the overall flows of the Colorado River originating in Colorado (10.797 IVIAF), it seems that there should still be adequate flows which the CWCB can protect under instream flow water rights to assist in the recovery of the endangered fish. The total instream flow appropriations suggested in Table 4 are no greater on average than will flow out of state under the compacts. The more significant challenge will be in arriving at monthly or daily distributions for these annual amounts which protect both water development opportunities and the needs of the endangered fish given the variable hydrology which occurs both annually and seasonally. Also, the structure and format of the water right application will be important, particularly in light of the recent decision in the Aspen Wilderness Workshop, Inc. v. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (Snowmass Creek Case). H. Our recommended approach does not foreclose any reasonable development opportunities within Colorado's compact apportionment. As suggested in the CWCB's Statement of Policy and Procedure, it presumes that within the time it will take to fully develop the recommended range of new conswnptive uses, new information about the endangered fish will become available such that the CWCB and others will fmd it necessary to reevaluate the situation and the state's needs;. The open process employed in assembling these recommendations, facilitated through the support of the CWCB's staff and others, is helpful in promoting the use of the best information available and enabling a diverse group of interested parties to participate in policy formulation. However, there are limits to what can be expected from a group representing statewide interests, and the organization of similar groups within the principal subbasins should also be pursued in order to fine tune the information.