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We're hopeful that we can develop additional operational rules for the lower end of the <br />operational range of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. <br />What we're not trying to do is force a showdown over differing interpretations of the <br />Compact. Most students of the Law of the River recognize that the seven states settled on the <br />mechanism of a "Compact" over 80 years ago to avoid having the Colorado River's future <br />determined exclusively by the federal government, whether it be Congress or the Supreme Court. <br />Secretary Norton and I respect that history and we continue to hope - and believe - that <br />"unnecessary, protracted or destabilizing litigation" can be avoided. While we recognize that <br />litigation may, at times, be necessary to resolve fundamental questions, my years of experience <br />in the Columbia and Snake River Basins in the Pacific Northwest showed me the significant <br />downside to litigation - especially litigation over annual operations. <br />The Colorado Basin has enjoyed a long period of consistent progress and stable <br />operations. This period was certainly aided by bountiful flows on the river and reservoirs that <br />held ample reserves for the most part over the past few decades. <br />I certainly hope - and believe - that this Basin, and those who rely on the Colorado River <br />can find solutions that will avoid some of the crises we've seen on the Klamath, Rio Grande and <br />Columbia rivers. <br />V. Conclusion - Facing the Challenges on the Colorado by Working Together <br />Here in the Colorado River Basin we're blessed by the benefits of storage. I'm not aware <br />of many river systems that are able to store nearly four years of average inflow. As a result of <br />this storage, even after perhaps the worst five -year drought in centuries, the reservoirs were still <br />nearly half full. <br />Last December, at the Colorado River Water Users meeting, Justice Hobbs of Colorado <br />observed that, <br />"In scarcity is the opportunity for community. Community involves need, <br />conflict, confusion, and, yes, good will and resolution." <br />It may be helpful for us all to consider how we would act if we are indeed in the middle <br />of a mega - drought. <br />If the drought continues and deepens, we may face the question as to how would we <br />manage the last few million acre -feet of mainstem reservoir storage. Would each of us say to our <br />neighbors and relatives in other states, "Tough, you need to go without, while 1 will use as much <br />as 1 need "? <br />It is my view of the West that at those times in history, the goodness of human beings <br />comes out, and we hunker down to make it through the hard times together. <br />Prepared Remarks - Keynote Address 1 O <br />Law of the Colorado River <br />