March 20, Honorable Ryan Zinke Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC Dear Secretary Zinke,

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Chloe Brown
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1 March 20, 2017 Honorable Ryan Zinke Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC Dear Secretary Zinke, As Latino leaders from across the West, we look forward to working with you as Secretary of the Interior. Among the many issues facing our Western communities, we have a strong cultural connection to water. From performing baptisms within its waters to acequia farming, healthy family recreation and local jobs, the Colorado River is an integral part of our heritage and way of life. And there is great concern for its future. We were pleased to hear you comment during the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing that water infrastructure is the backbone of local and regional economies, as well as the essential role that conservation can play in the overall water security for our future. More than 35 million Americans rely on the Colorado River for essential water supplies, and its five million acres of irrigated farmland provide food and forage for states throughout the nation. The economic importance of the Colorado River is estimated at over $1 trillion annually, and many of the top industries and employers in the West depend on this water source to do business. As you are aware, the Colorado River Basin and the states it serves are being hit by drought, increasing temperatures from climate change and other threats. Demand for the river s water now exceeds its supply. The river is so over-tapped that it dries up to a trickle before reaching the sea. These challenges aren t going away and pose serious risks to everything that depends on the river including our communities, recreation, farms and factories across the Basin. As a sportsman, we are sure you can appreciate what this means for the special places where we have been hunting and fishing for generations and the important role that healthy rivers play for protecting habitat so that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy this Western tradition. Key deadlines are looming in 2017, and the Federal role in the Colorado River Basin is more prominent than in any other Western watershed. In your role as Secretary of the Interior and the Water Master in the Lower Basin, you will play an important role providing delivery contracts. 1

2 We wish to see your leadership to signal immediately that high-level attention is focused to act on the following priorities, which have broad support and consensus: 1) Meet with Western Governors to take immediate and positive steps toward balance in the lower basin. As you noted in your confirmation hearing, there is a long-standing tradition of collaboration between the Department of Interior and the Basin states. Existing operational agreements on the Colorado River provide for reduction of deliveries to some water users in the three Lower Basin states (Arizona, California and Nevada) when Lake Mead reaches specified elevations. Your Department should convene a meeting with the Governors representatives of the seven Colorado River Basin States and emphasize Interior s commitment to facilitating an equitable solution. 2) Meet with the Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. and seal the deal on shared water shortages. The Interior Department has been supporting critical conversations between the United States and Mexico to extend and expand the provisions of a recent, precedent setting Colorado River agreement (Minute 319), which expires at the end of This agreement ensures that adequate water levels are kept in Lake Mead for use in the United States, and provides water for the environment. Through ongoing cooperation, the United States and Mexico can serve as a model for additional agreements throughout the Basin that will ensure a secure water future for all who depend on the Colorado River. 3) Expand the use of market-based tools and innovative public-private collaborations to ensure water supply resilience. Through the Department of Interior s Natural Resource Investment Center, we encourage you to increase investment in critical water infrastructure, both major rehabilitation and replacement of existing infrastructure and construction of new infrastructure. These investments will require collaboration among potential private sector funders, NGO partners, impact investors, and interested operating entities. The 2017 State of the Rockies Report from Colorado College, a bipartisan poll conducted in several Western states, found that Latinos concern for low levels of water in rivers (82 percent) to be more serious of an issue than unemployment (79 percent). The Colorado River is a great American treasure that keeps our economy producing and should be championed as such by your Department. We need to enter a new phase of collaboration, innovation, and flexibility when it comes to how we use and manage our water. We look to you to lead the way and stand by ready to assist. Sincerely, 2

3 Liz Archuleta Coconino County Board of Supervisors, District 2 Flagstaff, AZ Gustavo Arce Centro Cristiano Nueva Creaciόn Asamblea de Dios Tucson, AZ Emilio De La Cruz District Superintendent, Southwest District Assemblies of God Goodyear, AZ Alfredo Resendez Iglesia Auxilio Divino Asamblea de Dios Nogales, AZ Victor Venalonzo Betania Church Yuma, AZ Daniel Barajas Ministerios Aposento Alto Phoenix, AZ Helia Martinez Templo La Hermosa San Luis, AZ Lorenzo Martinez Southwest District Council Assemblies of God Phoenix, AZ Burke Montoya Way of Life Church Phoenix, AZ Sergio Navarrete District Superintendent, Southern Pacific District Assemblies of God La Puente, CA Ruben Guerra, Ph.D. Chairman The Latin Business Association Marsha Ramos Board Member Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Burbank, CA Antonio Gonzales President William C. Velasquez Institute Mary Luevano Commissioner California Coastal Commission Xavier Morales, Ph.D., MRP The Praxis Project Oakland, CA Hector Manzo Centro Cristiano de Fe Victorville, CA 3

4 Jorge Quintanilla El Divino Salvador Reseda, CA Raul Velasquez El Nuevo Cominezo Victorville, CA Enrique Orellana Fuente De Vida Christian Center Thermal, CA Raymundo Ortiz Iglesia Amiavi Victorville, CA Jesse Villarreal Templo La Hermosa Coachella, CA Frank Ruiz Salton Sea Program Director Audubon California Coachella, CA Belinda V. Faustinos San Gabriel Mountains Forever El Monte, CA Martin Martinez-Sandoval Youth Calvary Chapel Covina, CA Steven Morales Youth Youth Impact Ministries Oakland, CA Dr. Jesse Miranda Chairman National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Anaheim, CA Omar Gomez Director of Programs and Public Policy COFEM Chaz Tedesco Adams County Commissioner Adams County, CO Ara Cruz Director Café Cultura Maria de Cambra Campaign Director Campaign for a Strong Colorado Lisa Calderon Co-Chair Denver Metro CLF Jenny Santos Board Member Colorado Latino Forum Jordan Sauers Councilmember Northglenn City, CO Deborah Ortega Councilmember 4

5 Paul Lopez Councilmember Jorge Figueroa Senior Water Policy Analyst Wester Resource Advocates Boulder, CO Francisco Gallardo Program Director GRASP Jim Chavez Latin American Educational Foundation Dennis Rivera District Superintendent Central District of Assemblies of God Richard Garcia Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Arnold Salazar Colorado Health Partnerships Veronica Barela NEWSED Rudy Gonzales Servicios Al Gurule Former Councilmember Pueblo, CO Eric Montoya Mayor Pro Tem City of Thornton Thornton, CO Manuel Martinez Partner Bryan Cave Law Offices Joseito Velasquez Healing Waters Ministries Thornton, CO Rigo Magaña New Hope Christian Fellowship Greeley, CO Polly Baca Former Colorado State Senator Eddie Soto Owner Ground Organizing For Latinos Patricia Barela Rivera President and Owner PBR Solutions Nita Gonzales President/CEO Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios 5

6 Adrienne Benavidez State Representative Joe Salazar State Representative Adams County, CO Domenic Moreno State Senator Irene Aguilar State Senator Leroy Garcia State Senator Pueblo, CO Christine Mendias Instructor U.S. Air Force Academy Colorado Springs, CO Elizabeth Munoz Executive Assistant ENTRAVISION Luis Torres Academic Administrator, Professor Metropolitan State University Lisa Calderon Co-Chair Denver Metro CLF Ramon del Castillo Department Chair Metropolitan State University Jesse Ogas Firefly Autism James Reyes Vice Chair Democratic Party Charlotte Gonzales Owner Allstate Agency Cec Ortiz Owner Confluence Denver Manuel Lopez del Rio Board Member CLF Donald Martinez Retired U.S. Army Pueblo, CO Linda Sosa Public Affairs Representative San Cajetan Catholic Church Loretta Pineda Environmental Learning for Kids Pat Cortez Senior Vice President Wells Fargo 6

7 Angela Alfaro Statewide Board member Colorado Latino Forum Fabian Ortega Statewide Board member Colorado Latino Forum Mario Carrera Chief Revenue Officer ENTRAVISION Joelle Martinez Latino Leadership Institute Al Martinez Chair Latino Leadership Council Bob Coffin Councilman Isaac Barron Vice Mayor North Maria Teresa Lieberman Deputy Director Battle Born Progress Rudy Zamora CHISPA Nevada Arlene Rivera Immigrant Justice Initiative Mauricia Baca Outside Las Vegas Foundation Nelson Araujo Co-Deputy Majority Leader Nevada Assembly Juan Manuel Almanza Centro de Adoraciόn Familiar Peter Guzman President Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce Dr. Cecilia Maldonado Associate Vice Provost University of Nevada, Las Vegas Luis Valera Vice President for Government Affairs University of Nevada, Las Vegas Geoconda Arguello-Kline Secretary Treasurer UNITE-HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Larry Mason Former President Clark County School District Board 7

8 Nora Luna Director of Diversity and Grant Funding Nathan Adelson Hospice Stavan Corbett Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Mark Magaña President GreenLatinos Washington, DC Norbeto Madrigal Owner Lunas Construction Randy Ertll California Latino Environmental Advocacy Network CLEAN Kenia Morales Nevada Program Manager America Votes Fernando Romero President Hispanics in Politics Sandra Jaurequi Assemblywoman Nevada State Legislature Mark Weatherly State Representative South Salt Lake City, UT Laura M. Esquivel Director of National Advocacy Hispanic Federation Washington, DC Rudy Arredondo President/CEO/Founder National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Association Washington, DC 8

Colorado River Basin. Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation

Colorado River Basin. Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation The Colorado River supports a quarter million jobs and produces $26 billion in economic output from recreational activities alone, drawing revenue from the 5.36 million adults who use the Colorado River