(Washington D.C) - The State of Utah was presented with the prestigious “Partners in Conservation Award” by the Department of the Interior.

The award also recognized the other cooperating partners in the Colorado River Supply and Demand Basin Study (“Colorado River Basin Study” or “Basin Study”). This award was presented by Deputy Secretary David Hayes in recognition of the cooperation between these different entities on one of the most pressing natural resources issues in the Unites States - the future of the Colorado River basin.

The Colorado River Basin Study is the most comprehensive effort to date to quantify and address future supply and demand imbalances in the Colorado River Basin. The Basin Study evaluates the reliability of the water dependent resources, and also outlines potential options and strategies to meet or reduce imbalances that are consistent with the existing legal framework governing the use and operation of the Colorado River. To date, the Basin Study has published a number of interim reports and appendices, and the final report of the Basin Study is scheduled to be published by the end of November, 2012.

Dennis Strong, Director of the Utah Division of Water Resources accepted the award on behalf of the State of Utah. “The Basin Study is a cooperative effort to evaluate current conditions in the Colorado River Basin, look into the future to see what demands will be placed on the River and investigate solutions. The Basin Study and the adoption of the 2007 Interim Guidelines are evidence that the Colorado River Compact is still a dynamic document that provides foundation and guidance as we adaptively use the water of the Colorado River,” Strong said.

“Utah and the other Basin States, Native Americans, the federal government, and many other stakeholders continue to work together. The path forward is still often in the fog. We need to know more about how climate will impact the flow of the river, how our conservation efforts will help fill in the gaps in our future water needs and what role Utah will play in energy development. The way forward will be complex but the Basin Study is clear evidence we are working together to explore and develop multiple options and strategies to meet our projected future water supply and demand needs.”

The Utah Division of Water Resources plans, conserves, develops and protects Utah's water resources.