Colorado River Water Users Association Meeting
Secretary Norton wants Lower Basin Shortage Guidelines in place by 2007.
LeRoy W. Hooton, Jr.
December 21, 2005
(Las Vegas, Nevada) Last week over 700 hundred Colorado River water users gathered at Caesars Palace for the 2005 annual meeting of the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) to mull over issues related to the water life-line of millions of westerners. For 60 years the so-called “water buffalos” have convened at this time of year to debate, argue or conspire over the fate of the river. Usually there are issues that create a certain amount of tension brought on by litigation, disputes and disagreements over the use of the river.
This year’s meeting seemed to have less tension. Everyone was talking about the positive accomplishments made over the years; cooperation and collaboration between the seven basin states; and negotiating rather than litigating disputes. River challenges appear to be abounding, such as water banking, agricultural conversions, drought, environmental concerns and booming population in the basin facing water users. However, Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Mark Limbaugh told the water users that they have the common knowledge and the proven ability to negotiate with one another to resolve these challenging issues.
This year the main issue facing the seven basin states is the development of Lower Basin Shortage Guidelines, which would allocate water shortages to the LowerBasin during drought periods. With 8.8 MAF of water releases from LakePowell this past year, the river and storage system recovered somewhat from the worst drought in 100 years, or worse, said Commissioner Keys. There was some relief from the drought last year with normal spring run-off raising Lake Powell 53 feet. However, “We don’t know if the drought is over and the shortage guidelines are a major priority,” said Keys. “We have to work together and anticipate rather than react to problems.”
This message was repeated by Secretary Gale Norton (by recorded message). The Secretary set the deadline for completing the shortage guidelines for late 2007.
In the Utah caucus, water resource director Larry Anderson averred the same message, noting that it was better negotiating rather than litigating the shortage issue during droughts, which allows a third party (the court) to decide such an important issue. State representatives from the basin have been meeting for a number of months to iron out the shortage guidelines. According to Anderson there appears to be a consensus developing between the Upper and Lower Basin states.
Despite the severity of the drought Commissioner Keys told the water users that the project facilities were able to fulfill all of the compact’s delivery obligations. He did note that it was fortunate that the reservoirs were 95 percent full and that the interim surplus guidelines in place when the drought first began. He cautioned that additional tools are needed to deal with the continuation of the drought. “We must be prepared if the drought continues,” said Keys.