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Show ADJUSTING WATER RIGHTS^BBTWEISN STATES* By Clifford H* Stone, Director Colorado Water Conservation Board In appearing before the Association of Western State Engineers en the subject of "Adjusting VJater Rights Between States," I speak with deference. State Engineers have had for many years direct contact and are familiar with the problems which exist in the adjustment of water rights between states. They have made a study of the legal questions involved* and in many cases have been parties to litigation over the waters of interstate streams. It would seem* therefore, that I should not take your time in any extensive re- view of the fundamental principles which surround this subject.; and for that reason» although I shall note some of these principles, this discussion will be largely confined to a consideration of some of the more recent develop- ments in the field of adjusting water rights between states* All of you, no doubt, have read the interim and final reports of the Committee of the Irrigation Division on interstate water rights of the Am- erican Society of Civil Engineers. The final report was prepared by a gro"up of engineers9 some of whom are members of this Association* M* C« Hinder- lider5 State Engineer of Colorado, served as Chairman. Others were H* £. farrows, ¦ c« J» Bartholet, G» S« Clark., Edward Byatt, George S* Knapp, G« B. P* Smithy Jb C* Stevenss R. J« Tipton^ and Abel Wolman* The reports of this Committee constitute* an outstanding contribution on the subject of interstate water problems. All of the controlling principles are ably analyzed and dis- cussed in these reports* They deserve and should have the careful study of those interested in western irrigation. The very nature of our governmental structures the federation of forty- eight sovereign states and the preservation of the principles guaranteed by federal and state constitutions in the light of present day large scale ir- rigation expansion, present many questions respecting "the right of use" of water of the natural streams of the arid and semi-arid west. The states where irrigation is practiced claim the right to control the distribution of water among users within the state without interference from the federal government or other states, but subject to' equitable apportionment among states on an interstate stream and the power of Congress over interstate com- merce and navigation* Controversies involving waters of an interstate stream may be adjus-fced by original suits in the Supreme Court of the United States^ action in the lower federal courts subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States, or by compacts and treaties between states. The latter method in- volves also coordinated efforts on the part of state officials to devise plans of comprehensive development. The principles controlling the rights to water of interstate streams * Address before Association of Western State Engineers at Great Falls, Montana, September 23* 191+0* -1+9- |