WSP05164

• File Number: 8200.300.20.F.1
• Description: Grand Canyon Trust
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 4/1/1997
• Author: Grand Canyon Trust
• Title: Colorado River Basin Management Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

In October 1994, Grand Canyon Trust entered into a two-year cooperative, cost-shar-
ing agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation tej conduct a study that identifies basin
management issues and describes balanced, div~rse perspectives and thinking about
current and future management of water and related resources in the Colorado River
basin. The results will be used to identify potertial approaches which can help the
Bureau of Reclamation in meeting its responsibilIties in management of Colorado River
basin resources. The study incorporated facilita\ed discussiol15 with a wide range of
water users, managers and oth~r stakeholders throughout the basin.
The three goals were to devel~p a comprehensive summary of the
emerging trends and management issues facing Colorado River basin
resource managers, solicit and ~ompile the concerns and recommen-
dations of people and organiz~tions interested in basin issues; and
establish a workable dialogue afong these various parties. The study
workplan has been Uexible, refponding to input from stakeholders
and evolving to produce the m~st useful product possible.

INTEREST GROUPS:
. Federal agencies
. Tribal
. Agriculture/rural
. Municipal/Industry
. State agencies
. Individual
. Environmental
. Power
. Academic

GEOGRAPHIES:
. Arizona
. Colorado
. Utah
. California
. Nevada
. New Mexico
. Wyoming
. Other

Tatal # of Participants

19%
16%
14%
13%
12%
11%
7%
4%
4%

26%
16%
15%
13%
12%
10%
6%
2%

The effort was designed to be i~clusive rather than exclusive. For the
purpose of the study the Colonido River basin is defined as the water-
shed of the Colorado River an~ its service areas, an area sometimes
referred to as the "hydrocommors," Therefore, southern California, the
Wasatch Front of Utah, the Frorlt Range of Colorado, and parts of New
Mexico:' Rio Grande valley are I included, A stakeholder is defined as
anyone with an active interest in! the management of the Colorado River.
In theory that could include pri~ate citizel15 on the far side of the conti-
nent or around the world, How~ver in practice, we found those active-
ly involved in basin issues to be'located within this hydrocommons.

products of the study include :a compilation of emerging trends and
management issues Wlthm the J:>asm, the proceedmgs of the Colorado
,
River Workshop, a stakehOlder~workshoP on future management with-
m the basin; and this fmal report suggestmg vari us management approaches drawing on
mformation collected from stakeholders m the s udy and the results of the workshop,
!
During the facilitated discussions portion of th~ study, over 650 water users, managers
and other stakeholders of the Colorado River ~ere contacted and asked to characterize
the most crilical issues that face, or will face, t~e managers and users of the Colorado
River over the next few decades. Participants Were asked to characterize critical man-
I
agement issues, but no attempt was made to stafistically measure the level of concern or
to prioritize issues. Special attention was given \0 attaining broad diversity in geography
and interest group representation. Comments rere gathered in individual phone con-
versations followed by mailed respol15e forms'IIn addition, thirteen regional meetings,
involving over 240 stakeholders and managers, were held to answer questiol15 and
receive input. These meetings provided invalu~ble dialogue and insight into the issues
of the basin. Stakeholders provided 700 comm~nts (see Appendix I) describing a range
of critical management issues, These formed t\te basis for facilitated discussiol15 at the
Colorado River Workshop which was attende~ by more than 180 people. Results of
these study components are described in sumrj1ary form in this report.
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