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I I does become a part of the next ballot, it will be laid right here in these meetings. I think it is incumbent upon the people to express themselves and that the drafters and those who have suggested the amendment to make it perfectly clear in the record what those amend- ments mean and why they are inserted and hopefully what the purpose is so that it will be some guide to the judicial interpretation of it in the future. ~~. Sparks: This proposed amendment would permit the legislature to establish minimum stream flows. The constitution in effect encourages a complete destruction of streams and natural lakes because it says you have to divert the ~~ter to put it to beneficial use. There appears to be a considerable sentiment in Colorado that it is not advisable to destroy all of our natural streams and lakes. The Governor is firmly convinced that this is a prevalent opinion in Colo- rado and in his message to the legislature he requested that the legislature adopt a constitutional amendment along the lines of the one proposed here. No constitutional amendment can change what has already been done, but this amendment provides that after its enactment the.legislature shall establish minimum stream flows. It means that the legislature will have to determine how this is to be done. Undoub~- edly, this will t~ce a period of some years to determine what adequate stream flows or what minimum stream flows should be maintained. If we are interested in environmental protection of the waters of the state, there is no other way that it can be done in my opinion than by constitutional amendment. This would not change or infringe upon any existing right because the constitutional amendment reads: "rights initiated hereafter". While this will be a controversial amendment, already I have heard interpretations about this that I never dreamed of. But they are being made. Another draft is being circulated which would allow any- one to appropriate flowing water in the streams in place. To me, that \rould create absolute and utter pandemonium. The thing to remember is that the people of this state are serious about doing some- thing to protect their lakes and streams. Unless the legislature does something, there will probably be some initiated amendment. Mr. Stapleton: Well, Larry, for some of the non-lawyers here, why don't you explain what you meant by the words "initiated hereafter" so that we will get that qualified. Mr. Sparks: Under the existing law, certain rights have already been granted. So what we are referring to is any rights which are initiated -20-