Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Moreover, it seems unwise to focus only on prospecti ve <br /> <br />consumptive uses. Many feel that the economic future of the West <br /> <br />Slope is tied largely to recreation. <br /> <br />In this context it may be <br /> <br />that instream flows will be more important in the future than <br /> <br />traditional consumptive uses such as agriculture. <br /> <br />As noted, the Colorado provision applies only to the upper <br /> <br />Colorado River basin. As a matter of general principle, there is <br /> <br />no reason why some form of protection should not be provided to <br /> <br />any basin of origin. Moreover, there is no good reason to limit <br /> <br />Gunnison, Colorado, July 31, 1985). <br />David Getches, this approach would <br />elements: <br />* For every acre-foot of water diverted out of a <br />primary river basin each year, an export fee (to be set <br />by the legislature, perhaps indexed to the current <br />price of water in the watershed of origin> will be paid <br />by the importer. <br />* Export fees will be held by the state in a special <br />fund for the exclusive benefit of the specific water- <br />shed of origin. <br />* Expenditures will be made against the watershed's <br />funds upon action of the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board for projects proposed by municipalities, conser- <br />vancy districts, and other public entities within that <br />watershed of origin. <br />* Appropriate expenditures include: new storage <br />projects, repair and rehabilitation of existing water <br />storage and delivery facilities; municipal water <br />systems; improvement of irrigation systems; on-farm <br />improvements that result in greater efficiency; water- <br />based recreation facilities; securing instream flows; <br />and other water-related projects. <br />* An exporter who has already invested in compensa- <br />tory storage in connection with the particular trans- <br />basin diversion would be exempt from paying export <br />charges. <br />* Export fees will also be imposed on water used <br />under Colorado water rights for beneficial uses in <br />other states (whether or not in the watershed of <br />origin). Testimony by David H. Getches to Interim <br />Committee of the Colorado Legislature on Water and Land <br />Issues, Sept. 12, 1985. <br /> <br />As developed in testimony by <br />incorporate the following <br /> <br />39 <br />