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<br />Chapter 17
<br />Findings, Recommendations, and Initial Implementation Steps
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<br />or attainable. Rather, the state will need to prioritize and manage its
<br />resources in such a manner that the key water user needs are met. In
<br />some situations, this will require the state to provide those resources
<br />that will best benefit the majority of water users. In other situations, it
<br />may require that the state address the needs of only a few water users
<br />that face dire circumstances. In all situations, the state must allocate
<br />resources in ways that are prudent and appropriate to the state water
<br />and programmatic missions. The objectives and actions that are
<br />recommended below take into account, to some extent, all of these
<br />issues. Final decisions related to how the recommendations of this
<br />report are to be implemented lie with the CWCB Board,
<br />the Executive Director of the DNR, and the Governor.
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<br />Table 17-2 Summary of
<br />Recommendations
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<br />The major objective that has been identified for the state
<br />to address with respect to Colorado's water users needs
<br />is to improve water availability and reliability
<br />statewide, which is not differentiated by water use or
<br />user. In fact, all water users in all geographic regions
<br />identified a need for improved water availability and
<br />reliability - including water for domestic and municipal
<br />use, water for agricultural use, water to support natural
<br />stream flows and lake levels, water for fire fighting, and
<br />water for commercial and industrial use.
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<br />Related areas of practice that Colorado's water users
<br />identified as needing state involvement, which will
<br />address the major objective include:
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<br />. Improving public understanding and knowledge
<br />of state water and water resources issues.
<br />. Supporting infrastructure needs of water users.
<br />. Supporting technical assistance needs of water
<br />users.
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<br />. Improve water availability and
<br />reliability statewide
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<br />. Improve public understanding
<br />and knowledge of State water
<br />and water resources issues.
<br />. Support infrastructure needs of
<br />water users.
<br />. Support technical assistance
<br />needs of water users.
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<br />* Based on data and opinions collected from
<br />Colorado's water users
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<br />By addressing these three specific areas of practice, the state can
<br />address the major objective of improving water availability and
<br />reliability statewide.
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<br />Public understanding and knowledge of state's water and water
<br />resources issues
<br />Colorado's water users utilize public education and involvement at
<br />many different levels in developing and implementing water policy
<br />and programs. For example, water users use public messaging
<br />programs to announce the arrival of drought, identify drought and
<br />water conservation program needs, and promote water savings
<br />measures. In addition, much of the process for water development
<br />and project permitting requires public input and comment.
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<br />11/12/2003
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