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<br />STATE OF COLORADO <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1) 13 Sherman Street, Room 718 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: 13031 866.3311 <br />TOO: 13031 866.3543 <br />fAX: 13031 866.2115 <br /> <br />March 23, 1998 <br /> <br />The Honorable Scott McInnis <br />House of Representatives <br />215 Cannon Hs. Office Bldg. <br />Washington, D.C. 20515 <br /> <br />Re: House Resolution 380 <br /> <br />Dear Rep. McInnis: <br /> <br />It has come to my attention that you are a sponsor ofR Res. 380, regarding water levels <br />in Lake Powell. I understand your concern about protecting Colorado's ability to develop <br />our Colorado River compact entitlements and Lake Powell capacity to store water for the <br />benefit of Colorado and other Upper Basin states. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />However, the wording ofH. Res. 380 may have significant, and unintended, detrimental <br />affects. Specifically, the resolution calls for "no change in the water level of Lake <br />Powell." Under the Law of the River, Lake Powell fills, and water is released to allow <br />Upper Basin States to comply with the Colorado River Compact. As it is, the water level <br />in Lake Powell may fluctuate significantly over time. From a compact standpoint, <br />keeping the water level in Lake Powell static has the same affect as the Sierra Club's <br />proposal to drain the lake. The lake's utility for compact delivery purposes would be <br />eliminated. <br /> <br />Therefore, I urge you to change the wording in H. Res. 380 to reflect the importance of <br />Lake Powell in meeting river regulation and compact purposes under the Law of the <br />River. Second, I urge the resolution be changed to reflect the sense of Congress that the <br />primary purpose of Lake Powell is for river regulation and compact delivery purposes. <br />Incidentally, this primary purpose was reflected most recently in the Grand Canyon <br />Protection Act of 1993. There is language in both the House and the Senate reports about <br />importance of Lake Powell to the Upper Basin and the primacy of compact operations. <br /> <br />I would be happy to work with you or your staff on appropriate changes. If you have any <br />questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />cc: <br /> <br />Members, CWCB <br /> <br />c:. <br /> <br />DEPARTNlENT 01 <br />NATURAl <br />RESOURCE <br /> <br />Roy Romer <br />Governor <br /> <br />James s. Lochhead <br />Executive Director <br /> <br />Ronald w. (.lItany <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br />Board of Land Commissioners. Division 01 Minerals & GeOlogy/Geological SU(\Iey <br />Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. Colorado Stale Parks. Soil Conservation Board <br />Water Conservatlon Board. Division of Waler Resources. DiviSion of Wildlife <br />