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b 3 2. The Dangers Clearly, the current pragmatic and realistic water policy environment in Washington is perishable. As the Jimmy Carter era taught us, it could last just four years. These are mercurial times, in which world politics and economic upheaval could wipe out that pragmatic and realistic water policy environment in the next election. We must pursue a number of water-related goals now, even if our ability to pay for the achievement of those goals is still being developed. Furthermore, some of our water entitlements under interstate compact are endangered. As The Denver Post pointed out in an editorial on February 20: This winter's drought is a timely reminder that unless Coloradans take action soon to nail down their water rights on the Colorado River, this state could face great turmoil by the mid-1980's. Events now unfolding in Arizona and California, as well as in Colorado, could trigger the upheaval. They are: 2~'~ . Southern California's difficulty in completing a canal from water-rich northern California mountains to the arid south. Northern opponents have forced a statewide referendum to be held in 1982 to determine whether their water should be shared. The canal is far from certain. . Completion of the Central Arizona Project in 1986. When this giant diversion system begins pouring Colorado River water into the thirsty valleys around Phoenix and Tucson, a new chapter in the river's history will begin. Arizona will divert much water now being used - as surplus - by Southern California. If by 1986 Southern California has not resolved its claims in the north, Arizona's withdrawal will arouse cries of anguish from 12 million Southern Californians. Those cries will echo as far north as Colorado. Colorado, whose snowfields feed the river, has a solid claim to a theoretical one-fourth of the water. We could make a strong stand in court. But that old maxim of water law, 'use it or lose it,' looms over the claim. In an average year, about 700,000 acre-feet to which we are entitled, flows unused out of this state in the Colorado River each year . .. Soon we will need that water ourselves. We must make sure it isn't taken from us in the irtterim. If we don't use the water, Arizona and California will be delighted to grab it. Another impending threat to Colorado's water entitlements is a treaty between the United States and Mexico, under which the U.S. agreed to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet armually of Colorado River water to Mexican agriculture.