Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br /> <br />Mr. Saunders: Well, I have here a glass of water. This is an exploi- <br />tation of the environment. The glass is not part of the nat~ral environ- <br />ment and the water is upstairs if needed. I found that I needed some, <br />I went up and I see that you men got some too. So you are all exploiting <br />the natural environment. When someone objects to exploiting the environ- <br />ment, I think that the greatest thing in our lives is that we as humans <br />have sense enough to go to a wilderness and make it into an inhabitable <br />place. <br /> <br />This board was formed originally by the city attorney and former city <br />attorney of Denver and the then governor, with the purpose of catching <br />up with the other states of the West. Those two men were Coloradoans <br />and both of them by the way were Democrats, if any of you are interested <br />in politics. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Not any more, it is over with. <br /> <br />Mr. Saunders: It is always going to be with us. But California had a <br />very strong board, other states had very strong boards and the purpose <br />of this board was to develop the water resources of this state. It has <br />always been the purpose. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Now, your attorney used the words, it seems to me, expressed very accu- <br />rately the status and the posture this board should take in all of these <br />matters. We have agencies that are going to take care of pollution, <br />environment, fish and wildlife and outdoor recreation. This board is <br />the protector of Colorado's water resources. And when Ray Moses wrote <br />these words down and these words were compatible with water resource' <br />development in Colorado. Now it seems to me that this board should well <br />stick to this posture and any deviation as suggested in your literal <br />recommendation of the staff here deviates from a long standing policy. <br />If this board will encourage participation in things of this kind and <br />let it be known that its participation will equally view all such <br />studies to inform the legislative branch, whether it is state or national, <br />of whether or not the matter is compatible with water resource develop- <br />ment in Colorado. This is the proper function of this board. I would <br />hope that the board's resolution in this matter would consider the fact <br />as a matter of principle and not foreclose the opportunity of this board <br />once the study is complete to take then whatever definitive position it <br />feels is wise in view of the study as it actually comes out. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Mr. Berthelson: Mr. Chairman, I could offer a motion and get it before <br />the house that might resolve what we are talking about. <br /> <br />-19- <br />