LEG00150

• Bill Number: SJM02S-001
• Year: 2002
• Title: Memorializing Long Range Water Storage
• Legislation - Doc Type: Congressional Legislative Information

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WHEREAS, Colorado's snowpack, the ultimate source of clean
drinking water for communities and irrigation water for farmers and
ranchers, was 19% of average as of May 1, 2002, an all-time low for the
state; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, on June 1, 2002, five of Colorado's river basins were
experiencing extreme or severe drought conditions and the remaining two
basins were experiencing extreme moderate or near moderate drought
conditions in terms of surface flows; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, on June 6, 2002, precipitation was a mere 18% of its
historical average in the Upper Rio Grande Basin and 24% of average in
the Upper Arkansas Basin; and

WHEREAS, According to the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, reservoir storage in the Colorado River Basin, the South Platte
River Basin, and the San Juan River Basin were all in excess of200,000
acre-feet below their historic averages; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Weather Service, drought
conditions are expected to persist in the western United States through
September; and

WHEREAS, Colorado is deeply dependent on reservoirs and other
forms of water storage to capture run-off in the spring and summer
months, which the state substantially relies on for water in dry seasons
and dry years; and

WHEREAS, The last great drought in Colorado, occurring in
1977, had a substantially negative impact on Colorado's economy,
deflating numerous sectors ranging from fanning and agriculture to
tourism; and

WHEREAS, The 2002 drought has already showed measurable
signs of adversely impacting the Colorado economy in a manner similar
to 1977; and

WHEREAS, This summer's drought season has fueled the worst
wildfire season in the history of Colorado and abetted catastrophic blazes,
such as the Hayman Fire along the front range and the Missionary Ridge
Fire near Durango, that have destroyed hundreds of homes and other
structures; and

WHEREAS, These drought,induced fires have had an irrevocably
damaging effect on the natural environment, including the state's air,
water, and pristine forests; and

WHEREAS, While the 2002 drought has been unusually
destructive in its scope and consequence, drought conditions have and
will continue to occur in the west on a semi-regular basis, necessitating
bold and forward-looking strategies focused on ensuring adequate water

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SJM02S-001