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Show WATER COMPACTS OF THE V/EST* ..:•¦•.. By Clifford H. Stone, Director Colorado Water Conservation Board This paper deals with water compacts among states in the West, A com- pact allocating the waters of a river is not confined to the western area of the United States, but\there has been more extensive resort to compacts in this area because of limited supplies of water which are so vital in the regional economy. Fundamentally, a compact is founded on the premise that no one state through the use of the waters of an interstate river may exer- cise exclusive control of a great natural resource which so profoundly af- fects the economic and social development in other states, A compact aids in natural resource conservation; it is a technique for composing differ- ences among states; it affords a means of joint action by states and the Federal Government in promoting orderly development; and it provides a method for the effective co.ordination of federal and state jurisdictions in the control or the u«e of interstate waters. It is immediately recognized, therefore, that "water compact making among states represents public planning in the highest sense* Briefly, a oqnpact may be described as an agreement among states with the sanction of the Congress as provided by the Constitution. In practice, of course, the subject of a compact is not confined to water. Interstate agreements have been approved by Congress as an appropriate means of adjust- . ing various types of interstate, disputes* The "Union of States," effectuated and preserved by the Federal Consti- tution, presents a system of dual jurisdictions. The federal is one of delegated authority, and the state is one of reserved powers. The economic and social development under one jurisdiction often impinges upon the de- velopment under the other. Then, too, there is frequent evidence of prob- lems common-to a region or group of states, the solution of which cannot be accomplished under a single jurisdiction. To meet this situation, resort has been made to different procedures. Among thiem nay be mentioned j 1. Conferences of state governors and their representatives where com- mon action for the solution of a particular problem is sought and in many cases perfected. lUver basin committees which seek a united approach and state cooperation is an example* 2. The Council of State Governments studies problems of common concern and encourages uniform state laws* 3* Original suits in the United States Supreme Court have been insti- tuted for determination of interstate controversies where states, either have not attempted adjustments or have approached settlement of a dispute on too arnitrar-y a basis. It should be stated here that the judicial process is not adapted to tlio most desirable adjustment of interstate water controver- * A-ddress before American Planning and Civic Association at Omaha, Nebraska, June 15, 19i|3» -60- |