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<br />Exhibit B (See Appendix) which is the modification of that that was <br />worked out with the ad hoc committee subsequent to that meeting. Larry <br />has written a memorandum which all the board members have seen and I <br />hope the members of our audience have. <br /> <br />Larry. why don't you start by reviewing where we stand on the legis- <br />latureand then we will go from there. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />~~. Sparks: As I advised the board under date of January 4. 1973. a <br />major and legitimate concern in this state today is that the policy <br />of water development expressed in the state constitution promotes the <br />destruction of perennial streams and lakes in their natural state. <br />The constitution provides for the maximum utilization of water resources <br />~v diversion. <br /> <br />In his recent message to the Colorado General Assembly. Governor Love <br />strongly endorsed the adoption of a constitutional amendment which <br />would permit:the establishment of minimum stream flows. HOUse Reso- <br />lution No. 1004 has been introduced to accomplish this purpose. This <br />resolution proposes the amendment of section 6. article XVI of the <br />constitution to read as follows: <br /> <br />"Section 6. Appropriation of water - protection of environment - <br />prioritv of'appropriation. - The right to appropriate the unappro- <br />priated waters of this state to beneficial uses in the manner pre- <br />scribed by law shall never be denied; provided however. that in order <br />to preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree. including <br />the preservation of fish and wildlife, for the benefit and enjoyment <br />of present and future generations. no appropriation initiated hereafter. <br />or any change of an appropriation initiated hereafter" shall be per- <br />mitted which will deplete any perennial natural stream or lake below <br />a minimum flow or level as shall be established by law between specific <br />points on such naturCll s'creams or on natural lakes. Priority of appro- <br />priation in the manner prescribed by law shall give the better right <br />as bet\.,reen those using ",ater from a common or related source." <br /> <br />It will be recalled that at the last boa~d meeting. another method was <br />suggested so as to permit the establishment of minimum stream flows I <br />by statutory law. The method proposed was to amend the definitions <br />contained in the present \.,rater right determinaCion and administration <br />act of 1969 to declare that beneficial uses include "maintaining all <br />or a portion of the natural flow of a stream for recreational or other <br />values to mankind." The word "divert" as used in the present stCltutes <br />and set forth in the constitution would be changed to include and to <br /> <br />-2- <br />