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... ;~ COLORADO RIVER WATER USERS ASSOCIATION 1996 Annual Conference Colorado River - Gateway To the 21st Century CAESARS PALACE LAS VEGAS Address by Bruce Babbitt Secretary of the Interior 10:00 a.m., December 19, 1996 Almost exactly one year ago, on the occasion of your 50th annual convention, I came before you here in Las Vegas to review the status of water administration in the Lower Basin and to make some observations about future directions. I then expressed the hope that a consensus on water management could be forged among the basin states, and that a mediation process then in place could help to move contending interests closer to a resolution of their differences, as steps. toward sound long-term management in the Lower Colorado River. . At that time I described in some detailthe contentious history of the River, a story that is guaranteed to temper the .optimism of even the most hopeful souls. Today I have to report that while I am disappointed that more progress has not been made, I cannot say I am astonished. The Colorado River continues to test the commitment and the endurance of everyone who has been participating in the efforts of the last twelve months. It also has a nearly limitless capacity to generate new controversy. Before turning to the contentious matters that face us, however, I want to emphasize some good Colorado River news of 1996. In April we completed our fIrst spike flow release from Glen Canyon Dam, creating an artifIcial flood in the Grand Canyon to reestablish beaches and improve the natural habitat in the floor of the Canyon. The release has helped us to manage and improve the ecosystem of the Canyon in ways that exceeded our expectations. We appreciate the cooperation we have received 1 " j j,~