BOARD01811

• Board Meeting Date: 5/11/1998
• Description: Rio Grande Basin Issues - Closed Basin Project Issues
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

,...

.

.

.

RESOLUTION
of the
RIO GRANDE COMPACT COMMISSION

In
SUPPORT OF THE CLOSED BASIN PROJECT
3/26/98

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Commission that public proposals have
been made that question the legality of the operation of the Closed Basin Project; and

WHEREAS, it has been suggested that the Closed Basin Project is unnecessary; and

WHEREAS, it has been proposed that the State of Colorado not participate in the
,management, funding or financing of the Closed Basin Project; and

WHEREAS, it has been proposed the Closed Basin Project be terminated; and

WHEREAS, the Closed Basin Project has enjoyed long and continuing support of the
three signatory states to the Rio Grande Compact; and

WHEREAS, the federal government spent $94,000,000 in reliance on that support and
the State of Colorado spent $6,500,000; and

WHEREAS, the prospect of constructing the project has been discussed for over fifty
years; and

WHEREAS, the Closed Basin Project has improved water supplies in the Rio Grande
Basin to the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas; and

WHEREAS, the Closed Basin Project facilities are controlled by a congressionally
designated operating committee representing the federal government, the state government and
the local interests; and

WHEREAS, the operating committee has not reported any evidence that the project has
violated its operational constraints,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

I, The Rio Grande Compact Commission supports the continued operation of the
Closed Basin Project.

2, The Rio Grande Compact Commission attests to the necessity of the project's
continued operation in assisting Colorado in meeting its obligations and providing
more water in the Rio Grande Basin,