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<br />.... <br />,J <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />002511';; <br /> <br />#I <br /> <br />,j <br /> <br />- 4 - <br /> <br />The other principal features of the law provide for the registration of <br /> <br />wells and the licensing of well-drillers. Since the law provides no penalties for <br /> <br />failure of registration or licensing, compliance is purely voluntary--and, therefore <br /> <br />irregular. <br /> <br />The most that can be said for our law is that we have made a start. <br /> <br />We are hopeful that before ir~eparable damage is done to our ground water supply <br /> <br />that more adequate legislation will be enacted. We should be able to profit from ex- <br /> <br />periences in other states, where in some cases, drastic police powers have been granted <br /> <br />to administrative officials to halt already incredible ground water depletions. <br /> <br />A growing problem here in Colorado is one common to both the Arkansas and <br />South Platte River Valleys. This problem has been occasioned by the constant]y ac- <br /> <br />celerated rate of well drilling along the :floor of these valleys. Many of these wells <br /> <br />intercept percolating water which is tributary to the river. Others draw directly <br /> <br />from the underground flow of the river itself. The conflict with adjudicated surface <br />rights is apparent. This rapidly deteriorating situation should short]y furnish a <br /> <br />livelihood for lawyers and engineers for many years to come. <br /> <br />New Nexico has solved an identical situation in the Rio Grande Valley by <br /> <br />granting stringent police powers to its State Engineer. No further well drilling is <br /> <br />permitted in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico unless the applicant has an eq~valent <br /> <br />surface water right which he is willing to leave in the stream. It is highly probable <br /> <br />that similar legislation will be called for in Colorado in the not too distant. future. <br /> <br />. Here in Colorado lie have embarked upon an intensified program to. learn <br /> <br />more about our ground .rater resources. The United States Geological Survey in cooper- <br /> <br />ation with the Colorado 1rlater Conservation Board is accelerating a well defined pro- <br /> <br />gram to determine the existence and extent of ground water supplies. Recharge rates <br /> <br />are being extensive]y studied. Colorado State University has for many years past done <br />