WSP03127

• File Number: 8410.300.60
• Description: Basin Multistate Organizations - Missouri Basin States Association - Reports
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 2/9/1984
• Author: MBSA
• Title: Alternative Institutional Arrangements for Interstate River Basin Management
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

The Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 mandated four river basin

commission activities: (1) to serve as the principal agency for the coordination

of federal, state, interstate, local and nongovernmental plans for the

development of water and' related land resources in its area, river basin, or

group of river basins; (2) to prepare and keep up to date a comprehensive,

coordinated, joint plan for development of water and related land resources;

(3) to recommend long-range schedules of priorities for the collection and

analysis of basic data and for investigation, planning, and construction of

projects; and (4) to foster and undertake such studies of water and related land

resources problems in its area as were necessary in the preparation of the plan.

Ability to Resolve River Basin Issues

Although Title II river basin commissions had formal, federal authorization

and the recognition of member states (at least those that petitioned for their

creation), Congress placed certain limitations on their activities. Their authority

was limited to planning, and it could not limit the authority already held by the

states or federal agencies. Commission decisions were typically arrived at by

consensus, producing "least common denominator" plans and policies.

Title 11 river basin commissions did have considerable latitude in the types

of "special studies" and projects they could undertake, In fact, such studies

were usually limited only by available funding. However, the commissions had

little authority to enforce study recommendations, and members had little

incentive to abide by such recommendations.

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