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Show Chapter 6 Elements of a Plan for Ultimate Development of Water Resources The basic objective of water resources develop- ment, conservation, and management in the Colo- rado River Basin is to provide for the economic and social needs of the increasing population of the area and contribute to the national welfare to the fullest extent consistent with maintenance of the resources. This involves planning for sustained yield of renewable resources and the wise use of nonrenewable resources. Comprehensive plan- ning, integrated programs, and coordinated activi- ties are essential if this objective is to be reached. Of major importance in this basin is the progress made in attacking the broad aspects of distribution of available waters through interstate compacts ratified by the Colorado River Basin States and approved by the Congress of the United States, and an international treaty ratified by the Senate of the United States. All water resources develop- ment in the Colorado River Basin must be con- sistent with the provisions of these particular agree- ments and many existing water and power contracts made pursuant to and dependent upon Federal and State laws. Planning for an integrated basin development in the Colorado has been made extremely complex by the Colorado River Compact. With the compact's limitations, planning must proceed with careful consideration of allocations of water to States and separate tributary basins. The upper and the lower basin States each have water rights emphatically asserted and jealously guarded. Partly because of these allocations and agree- ments, attention must be given to several areas adjoining the natural drainage area of the river system. A broad definition and application by the Colorado River Compact of the term "Colorado River Basin" is "all of the drainage area of the Colorado River System and all other territory within the United States of America to which the waters of the Colorado River System shall be bene- ficially applied." Potentially the area would in- clude a part of Wyoming, much of Utah and Colorado, southern California, a substantial part of New Mexico, all of Arizona, and a small part of Nevada. The Colorado River drainage system is the heart of the intermountain Southwest, and is the "last water hole" available to future farms and ranches, industries, and communities in the region. Ultimate Objectives of the Program The ultimate objective of a program for water re- sources development in the Colorado River must be consistent with basic philosophies as to water use contemplated by the States of the basin. These philosophies are given expression in the ratified Colorado River Compact. Article IV of that in- strument provides that: (a) Inasmuch as the Colorado River has ceased to be navigable for commerce and the reservation of its waters for navigation would seriously limit the development of its basin, the use of its waters for purposes of navigation shall be subservient to the use of such waters for domestic, agricultural, and power purposes. Article IV continues: (b) Subject to the provisions of this com- pact, water of the Colorado River system may be impounded and used for the generation of electrical power, but such impounding and use shall be subservient to the use and consumption of such water for agricultural and domestic purposes and shall not interfere with or pre- vent use for such dominant purposes. 451 |
