Hoping to end Colorado's in-state battles over scarce water, a House committee has approved an unprecedented charter for compacts between users in different river basins meant to bring together groups ranging from fishermen to farmers.
DENVER — Hoping to end Colorado's in-state battles over scarce water, a House committee has approved an unprecedented charter for compacts between users in different river basins meant to bring together groups ranging from fishermen to farmers.
"We're walking on ground that hasn't been walked on before," said Marc Catlin, a member of the Inter Basin Compact Committee that drew up the proposed charter.
Battles for limited water supplies have heated up across the West, often pitting fast-growing cities that want water for drinking and lawn-watering against other groups that depend on farming and recreation for their well-being.
Catlin said water users and providers who have been at each other's throats for years came together to come up with a plan that will force them to discuss the best ways to keep water in Colorado and reduce the impact on the state's water basins, which are facing heavy demands.
The state's seven major rivers are also facing heavy demand from millions of people in 10 downstream states who depend on Colorado water for their survival.
The bill, passed Monday, now goes to the House Appropriations Committee to determine how to pay the estimated $1.2 million cost.
The charter urges water users and providers to consider leasing and other temporary arrangements rather than buying water rights. Participants also agreed that the state has to explore flexible, market-based approaches to water supply, including interruptible water contracts, water banking, in-state water leasing and groundwater recharge.
It also specifies that "future water solutions must benefit both the area of origin and the area of use," which participants said was a sea change in Colorado water law that has favored the thirsty Front Range at the expense of Western Slope water users.
Critics said the charter has no teeth and will be difficult to administer, but lawmakers said it is more important not to tamper with water laws that have developed over decades.
"This charter reaffirms basic principles in Colorado water law and the constitution that gives us some security where we are going," said Rep. Diane Hoppe.
Source: Associated Press
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