WSPC05170

• File Number: 8200.700
• Description: Colorado River Basin General Publications - Augmentation-Weather Modification
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/1/1977
• Author: NAIWMC
• Title: North American Interstate Weather Modification Council - Cooperative Planning Sessions - Colorado River Weather Modification Demonstration Project 1976-1977
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Also, energy companies have been buying water rights around the country. The

impact of such moves, especially on agriculture, could be serious. The obj8c-

tives of the demonstration project should be to prevent the impact of potential

energy development on water users. One way to do this is to claim the water

for those who use it (the States) and allocate it to energy sources on a com-

petitive basis. A second alternative is for Congress to allocate water for

energy, that is to set aside water for energy uses. A third is to let the

water flow according to the Law of the River.

The States should show the intent of creating a water supply and go ahead

with the demonstration project. The law of the river might go forward and the

States would lose the opportunity to claim the water and distribute it to

energy sources competitively if they do not act now. This would require back

up from each of the States to insure agreement (such as a legislative endorse-

ment and funding). If only the upper Basin States did this, they would need the

cooperation and approval of the lower Basin States which have a big stake in

this. It would require funding from the Federal level (Congress or energy

agencies). Industry cooperation would be needed, for example, selling options

on potential water. The Bureau of Reclamation would have to work out problems

with the State and local government. The States could begin to form more per-

manent institutions to manage water produced by cloud seeding when the demon-

stration project has been completed, for example, a Federally chartered

corporation.

Valantine: Will the first extra water be used to meet compliance

with the Mexican treaty? Responses by many: No water produced by the project

would be specifically for the States but in fact would free water currently

used for the commitment to Mexico for use in the States within the law of the

river. This is one way to meet additional demands of energy and industry.

Valantine: There is an obligation on the Federal Government to augment the

flow of the Colorado River. If such a project would do it, several agencies

would have an interest in it as the cheapest way to meet that obligation.

Warskow: One question must be answered: Whose water is it? Davis: The

States would have a very difficult time claiming that water. Some discussion

on Indian water rights in the Southwest occurred. Several tribes in South

Dakota have passed resolutions claiming rights to all the,water suspended in

the atmosphere.

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