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Mr. McDonald further pointed out the need for Colorado to • <br /> prepare now for meetings with the basin states in March and April <br /> concerning reservoir operations. The main issue at these meet- <br /> ings will be vacant space on January 1, 1985. It appears very <br /> evident that the Commissioner will want a lot of vacant space, <br /> most of which will come at the expense of the Upper Basin. These <br /> and other issues on reservoir operations need to be discussed <br /> with water users now so that our position and response will be <br /> clear. <br /> In response to a question regarding states ' liability for <br /> land use planning to eliminate flood damages, Mr. McDonald stated <br /> that the federal bail out process is underway with a lower basin <br /> congressional representative introducing legislation to make the <br /> federal government liable for the flooding. Mr. Cheney, <br /> representative from Wyoming, has introduced a bill that will make <br /> the federal government liable for nothing and would also remove <br /> all federal support from people who remain in the floodplain <br /> after this as was done in previous cases involving hurricanes <br /> along the coastal barrier islands. Mr. McDonald is urging the <br /> Colorado Delegation to support Mr. Cheney's bill. At this point <br /> a motion was made by Mr. Robbins, seconded by Mr. Woodard, to <br /> support the Cheney bill. The motion passed by unanimous voice <br /> vote. Mr. McDonald is to transmit this motion to Mr. Cheney and <br /> the Colorado Congressional Delegation. Mr. McDonald closed this <br /> agenda item by again thanking all those water users who <br /> participated in the letter writing campaign to Mr. Clark and Mr. <br /> Broadbent. <br /> Agenda Item 21 - Proposed Formation of a "Colorado River Basin <br /> States Forum" <br /> Discussion on this issue was initiated by Bill McDonald with <br /> a review of the written memo and attached letter to Governor <br /> Lamm. Mr. McDonald then went on to outline his thoughts on the <br /> forum' s objectives, format and appropriate way to put the issue <br /> before the basin states. (Appendix N attached. ) <br /> The objective would be to create an organized forum of the <br /> Colorado River Basin States to discuss and resolve issues with <br /> respect to the development of water and associated land resources <br /> within the basin. This would include the following topic areas : <br /> 1. salinity control <br /> 2. weather modification <br /> 3. vegetative management <br /> 4. reservoir operations <br /> 5. environmental and regulatory programs such as endan- <br /> gered species legislation,s ecies le islation, reserved water rights, use • <br /> -22- <br />