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OBSERVATION #4 -- The current svstem of permittiner, adiudication, and develooment is too costlv and is inefficient. Our current system for developing water is simply too inefficient. While the past decade has produced vast improvements in water resource technology, modeling, and efficiency, the legal system for perfecting our rights and obtaining necessary permits is increasingly used by opponents of water transfers to make water developments nearly impossible, and extremely costly. The standards and accountability of water law must be preserved (I am not suggesting otherwise). Our efforts, however, today and throughout 1993, must be devoted to streamlining the legal process and making it less cumbersome, not more cumbersome and difficult to provide water for the Front Range. I personally find it offensive that such a large portion of my City's water budget must be spent on the non-productive activities of litigation, rather than on developing water resources for my citizens' future. This is particularly worrisome to the Thornton Council and myself in light of Amendment *1. And speaking of Amendment 1... OBSERVATION #5 -- The uncertain task of developiner Front Ranere water has become all the more uncertain with the passaQe of Amendment 1. If this Conference had been held last October, the most critical issues we would have discussed are water authorities, basin-of-origin concepts, and many other familiar topics. But, November 3, 1992 changed all of that. As a municipal officer, I now have new marching orders. My orders are to deliver necessary services to my constituents under the constraints of tax spending limitations. None of us are sure what all of the ramifications of this "new order" will be for the water utility programs. But needless to say, the level of uncertainty in Front Range water development has increased! In conclusion, Thornton and its fellow cities in the Front Range face many serious challenges to the fulfillment of our sworn duty to provide sufficient water to meet future demands. As we welcome 1993, Thornton, and I believe the majority of front-range municipalities, also welcome efforts to help each of us address those challenges. If I can be slightly facetious, let's not shoot ourselves in the acre- foot in our efforts to precipitously address a very complex and extremely emotional issue. Thank you. Written questions and comments for Mayor Carpenter 1. What assistance from the state did Thornton receive in pursuing its Northern Project? 2. There has been virtually no environmental opposition to Thornton's Northern Project: why is that? Same question regarding the state Engineer. 15