06b ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 5/20/2008
• Description: IBCC Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Bill Ritter, Jr. -Governor
Harris D. Sherman -DNR Executive Director
Jennifer Gimbel - CWCB Director
Interbasin Compact Process
5~~~,ze~ Newer. -1 ~ Q~.~x~.
From Harris Sherman
Executive Director of DNR and
Director of Compact Negotiations
~~ ' `~ If we let Colorado's water supply
continue to evolve the way it is now,
what will our state look like in
50 years? Is that what we want it to
~ ~ look like? If not what can and should
we do about it?
Those are the questions I put to the members of
the Interstate Basin Compact Commission-some
of the best water mi nds i n Colorado-at our
March meeting. They are fundamental and very
difficult questions. Yet, it is of vital importance
that we answer them.
The responses were thoughtful, insightful, and
generally concerned about our future. Farmers
and ranchers from the West Slope and the
eastern plains, Front Range water providers, and
environmentalists all expressed unease about the
long-term vision of the state if we let water
supply development continue on the path it is on.
Dry-up of agriculture, the impact of millions of
new residents in Colorado, and the need to do a
better job balancing all uses among all users
were common sentiments.
When the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC)
members looked at the status quo, they saw a
vision that is not the Colorado they want to see.
There is strong desire across the state to take
steps now to manage and control our water
future.
The question is what can we do, and that issue is
far less settled. That is why the IBCC will spend
the next several months exploring alternatives to
this status quo vision and developing strategies
for achieving a better vision for Colorado. Our
meeting in May will look at a common vision for
Colorado's water supply future and a proposed
plan for examining various water supply
strategies to achieve that common vision. Based
on our progress, we w~u continue the a~~
at the August IBCC meeting and beyond.
The March IBCC meeting was historic. I cannot
recall a time when this kind of visioning
discussion has taken place. The fact that water
leaders from all regions representing all uses can
come together and have this dialogue is a
statement of just how far we have come these
last few years. Prior to the 2002 drought and the
Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI), I do not
think this dialogue would have been possible.
It is my sincere hope, however, that this dialogue
does not end with the IBCC. Others around the
state should ask themselves these same
questions. The input of all interested
stakeholders is critical. The Basin Roundtables in
particular should explore these issues, but in turn
they should extend it to include community
leaders, civic organizations, and chambers of
commerce throughout the state.
The March IBCC meeting was just the first step.
We have a long way to go and no one is sure what
specific solutions will come out of this important
discussion. Yet, our state will be better off for
having this conversation, and hopefully it will
produce sound long-range planning and action
that both ensures a secure water future for our
state while protecting and even enhancing those
qualities that make Colorado such a special
place.
Stay tuned, and thanks for all that you do for
Colorado.