University of Colorado Law Review Volume 55 Issue 3 Spring 1984

• Description: Plans and Studies: The Recent Quest for a Utopia in the Utilization of Colorado's Water Resources
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Other

1984] COLORADO'S WATER RESOURCES 415
The Colorado, Arkansas, Rio Grande, and South Platte Rivers,
along with several others, have compact commissions or administra-
tive mechanisms. The State Engineer, Director of the Water Board
and gubernatorial appointees serve on these commissions.'"
Several years ago, the federal government enacted legislation to
address the growing concern in Arizona and California about salinity
in the Colorado River.147 The Colorado River Basin states organized
a Salinity Control Forum. Colorado's members are appointed by the
Governor. There is also an association in which each state served by
the Missouri River system participates.148 And a different multi-
state forum is the High Plains Council, provided for by Congress to
supervise and participate in a six-state, multi-million dollar study of
the groundwater supplies in the high plains.'"
Each of these entities serves a specialized purpose. But there are
a number of places where the membership overlaps. The State Engi-
neer and the Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board sit
on the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Groundwater
Commission as ex officio, non-voting members.16° The Executive Di-
rector of the Department of Natural Resources also sits on the
Water Board and the Groundwater Commission's' and has general
executive responsibility for the State Engineer, Water Board and
Groundwater Commission, although specific statutory duties are the
responsibility of the agencies.'52
The Water Board reviews projects prior to their consideration
for funding by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Develop-
ment Authority and is authorized to provide staff assistance to the
Authority.'53 All Authority and Water Board projects must first be
authorized by legislation. The Executive Director sits on the Salinity
Control Forum along with a representative from the Department of
Health and a member of the Water Board.154 The Attorney General
is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Water Board165 and is le-
146. See, e.g., Id. §§ 37-61-101 to 104.
147. 43 U.S.C.S. §§ 1571 -1599 (Law. Co-op. 1980 & Supp. 1983).
148. The association survives the Missouri River Basin Commission which was estab-
lished under the Water Resources Planning Act and then terminated.
149. 42 U.S.C. § 1962(d)-18 (1978).
150. Coto. REV. STAT. §§ 37-60-104(1), (4) (1973).
151. Id.
• 152. Id. §§ 24-33-101 to 107.
153. Id. § 37-95-107.
154. The Governor appoints Colorado members of the Colorado Salinity Control Forum.
155. Coto. REV. STAT. § 37-60-104(1) (1973).