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<br />". <br /> <br />Mr. David Getches <br />Page Seven <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Such a review is especially appropriate in this context. <br />One of the Act's more controversial features in this region has <br />been its purported interference wtth expectations created under <br />state water rights systems. To the extent that the Coordinating <br />Committee members desire to minimize the potential for such <br />conflicts, it is necessary to examine how state water rights <br />systems could be modified to protect instream values. <br /> <br />A number of western states have very recently begun the <br />process of reforming their water law systems to provide at least <br />some opportunity for protection of environmental values dependent <br />upon flowing water. These recent reforms provide a useful star- <br />ting place for identifying the types of changes that should be <br />considered. These include, among others, the recognition of <br />instream flows as beneficial uses, the establishment of private <br />rights to purchase and hold instream flow appropriations, estab- <br />lishment of minimum flow programs, and the enactment of laws~ <br />regulating riparian development. <br /> <br />Without a careful examination of approaches such as these, <br />we believe the Committee will have overlooked a potentially <br />important component of a comprehensive plan for the future of the <br />river and its resources. Thus, we intend to recommend that the <br />Committee consider revisions to state water laws as a corollary . <br />to consideration of changes to federal law. <br /> <br />In closing, we want to reiterate our commitment to form- <br />ulating a long-range plan for protecting the endangered living <br />resources of the Colorado River, while assuring the optimum <br />utilization of its water resources. We would be happy to discuss <br />these ideas with you. <br /> <br />Respectfully. <br /> <br />o~~ e, Sen,or Scienti"' <br />Environmental Defense Fund <br /> <br /> <br />\ ~~.~ <br /> <br />~~in, taff Attorney <br />Environmental Defense Fund <br /> <br />--- <br />~~ <br />Ji sey <br />Colorado <br /> <br /> <br />Unlimited <br /> <br />~CJj.'l\t. Fox <br />~:~~ ub <br /> <br />Southw st Regional Office <br /> <br />. <br />