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<br />, <br />COLORADO RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT STUDY: FINAL REPORT <br /> <br />v <br /> <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />, <br />ISSUES OF ALLOCATIONS: <br />, <br />RECONCILING SUPPLY WITH DEMAND <br />I <br />I <br />The iSsues that involve finding solutions to supply and demand were predictably <br />. <br />numelous. The diversity of views pointed out the many interests competing for the <br />river's water resource, Agriculture still consumes the majority of Colorado River water <br />and itt economic importance to the rural areas of the basin and to the nation as a <br />wholejwas an important issue. The loss of the positive qualities connected with rural <br />lifestyles was also mentioned.. Several participants commented on Ihe impact of ris- <br />ing water prices on farming, while olhers argued that cost-based vs. market-based <br />water pricing represents a subsidy to a specific sector, Environmental protection <br />requir~ments and compeling demands for water flows by recreation and environ- <br />mental tourism were identified as concerns as were the economic, environmental and <br />social 'consequences of the potential sale of federal water delivery facilities. <br /> <br />The primary reason given for increased demands on the rivers water resource is, <br />directly and indirectly, the rapid population growth and development throughout Ihe <br />region. This growth brings not only competing demands for consumptive uses but <br />also a~ increase in demand for satisfying non-consumptive values of aesthetics, recre- <br />ation, 'and natural resource protection. Increasing numbers of people and attendant <br />develJpment alter rural communities and surrounding natural resources. It was sug- <br />gested that the pressure of population growth necessitates belter integralion of land <br />and water management especially in flood plain management. The use of water as a <br />tool for managing this growth was mentioned often with differing conclusions as to <br />its utility, Several stakeholders suggested that the uncertainty of the resolution of <br />senior Native American water rights claims increased tension within the basin.The <br />potential for off-reservation water marketing was also sltggested. <br /> <br />Threel main strategies for s\retching water resources were commonly mentioned. <br />Many, comments identified opportunities for conservation and water reuse. Others <br />suggested the possibility of increasing supplies by enhancing precipitation or tapping <br />otheqriver systems. Interstate and intrastale water marketing proposals for redirect- <br />ing allocaled water were the third alternative. <br />I <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />