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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUGGESTED ApPROACHES FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT The Bureau of Reclamation, with its technical resources and long history in water resource management, is in a unique position to provide continued leadership with- in the basin. While no single entity can guarantee all of the critical components iden- tified within this study: better coordination, greater stakeholder involvement, inte- gration of science into management actions, and the definition of a common basin vision, Reclamations commitment to these components can greatly encourage and enhance these changes. There are examples individual processes within the basin that are striving to be inclusive and extend beyond traditional political boundaries and many study participants supported the formation of larger regional institutions to facilitate communication, integration, and cooperation. But others adamantly argued that such institutions would be infeasible, ineffective or unnecessary. Regardless of the outcome of that debate, Reclamation, with responsibilities and a presence across the basin, can greatly aid the stakeholders of the region in achieving the critical compo- nents identified in this study. The following approaches will foster, promote, and facil- itate more efficient, integrated management of the resources of the Colorado River basin within the current institutional structure. In this contentious region, facilitation and control are very different things. While each of these actions is consistent with Reclamation's responsibilities and mission, they should be approached cooperatively with the basin states, various tribes, state and federal management agencies, water users, and other stakeholders. Each presents a significant and positive step toward more effective basin management, supporting current efforts throughout the basin and reinforcing local and regional managers. II ENHANCING BASIN COMMUNICATIONS At present there is a limited communication network throughout the basin. While good communication often exists within individual processes, there is no link between basin managers and stakeholders that spans the geographical and politi- cal boundaries of the basin. Reclamation, with its broad knowledge of basin man- agement, can encourage that central communication link. Such a communication network could take several forms; a frequent newsletter, an electronic bulletin board, or a series of regional forums are suggestions. The network should engage tribes, environmental groups, small water districts and other interested stakehold- ers of basin management on current issues, processes, and decision points. Better communication and transfer of knowledge will be key elements to solving the increasingly complex issues of basin management. IIll DEVELOPING A BASIN-WIDE VISION A basin-wide vision cannot simply be articulated, it must incrementally evolve within processes that include all stakeholders. We urge Reclamation to build on the success of the Colorado River Workshop by providing a vehicle for parties to begin to create a new vision for the future of the Colorado River. Annual forums, or a series of smaller forums, to discuss basin issues would allow stakeholders to incrementally move toward a vision outside the contentious confines of other management processes. Regular, open discussion provides greater understanding between parties and increases the potential for issue resolution.