In the brief telephone interview, Obama also said he would not consider re-negotiating the Colorado River Compact, which governs water flow through seven Western states.
His rival, Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate, was quoted saying in August that he would consider revisiting the compact, drawing fire and brimstone from Republicans and Democrats alike. McCain later clarified his comments and said he meant that he hoped negotiations would continue as they have since the compact was forged 86 years ago.
Obama said McCain erred in broaching that subject.
“That was a very difficult negotiation that balanced the interests of a lot of parties. The idea that we should reopen that, I think, makes no sense, and I don't foresee reopening that compact when I'm president,” he said.
The compact dictates how much water goes to California, Arizona and Nevada and how much is kept in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah. Growing communities in Arizona and southern California have clamored for more water, especially in the past decade of drought. But farms and cities on the Front Range and Western Slope want to keep the water they already have.
Pressed on whether he would ever consider reopening the compact, Obama stayed firm.
“What we need to focus on is water conservation, and spend a lot more time figuring out how we could use a whole variety of technologies to reduce the amount of water that is being used, period. That helps everybody,” he said. “But, you know, wading into a whole new process with winners and losers over what's the most precious resource in the West, I think would be a mistake.”
http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080929/NEWS/809299964/1006&parentprofile=1067&title=Colorado%20interview:%20Obama%20discusses%20water,%20energy,%20climate%20change
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