LEG00171

• Bill Number: SB02S-018
• Year: 2002
• Title: Creation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Task Force
• Legislation - Doc Type: Other CWCB Related Bills - Killed

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 of 200,000
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 farming 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 supplies for ever-growing western communities;
now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-third General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of
Representatives concurring herein:

(1) That the Congress of the United States is hereby memorialized to support western states in
developing long-range programs to increase water storage and capacity, including the development and expansion
of new and existing reservoirs and other water storage projects, consistent with the procedural and substantive
requirements of applicable state water law.

(2) That the members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation are hereby memorialized to
affirmatively develop and aggressively support programs, policies, and projects aimed at increasing water storage
capacity in the State of Colorado, in a manner that honors the primacy of the State of Colorado in appropriating,
adjudicating, and managing water rights, claims, and interests.
Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Memorial be sent to each member of the Colorado
Congressional Delegation.

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