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). e e e Op~[)2;"\ Executive Summary Recent developments among the seven states which comprise the Colorado River basin have highlighted the urgent need for Colorado to have improved capability to develop credible information and conduct analysis for making informed decisions concerning the management of Colorado River water resources. The Governor's executive order of May 1992 established the Colorado River Policy Advisory Council and associated Decision Support s.ystem, Advisory Committee to address Colorado River matters, The overall organization is depicted in Figure 1. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was given final authority on interstate matters and authorized a feasibility study of developing and implementing a Colorado River Decision Support System (CROSS) in order to "". assure that the state of Colorado protects its allocation of interstate waters for current and future beneficial purposes. to achieve optimum development of such waters under significant constraints imposed by federal law and policy, and to achieve efficient and effective management of river systems for recognized beneficial purposes..." (CWCB 1992 Appropriations bill), The proposed CROSS must be srructured so that it promotes information sharing among the various governmental agencies and water users, Databases must represent the historic and current state of the river basin. whereas models can be used to represent expected future states subject to various policy alternatives, To support CROSS' objectives. the system should be easily accessible by a variety of users, Conceptually it should include a "toolbox" or repository of utilities for supporting management of the Colorado River water resources. CROSS should support decision making and planning in the following three categories: . Interstate Compact Policy Analysis including the evaluation of alternative operating strategies, the determination of available water for development. and maximization of Colorado's apportionment. Water Resources Management including the development or use of basin wide planning models. the examination of water management options. and the evaluation of impacts of in-stream flow appropriations. Water Rights Administration including the optimization of water righfS administration. on-line sharing of information between water users. and the administration of water rights under a compact cal[ . . DAMES& MOORE/CADSWES. 2