WSP09412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I ..! # ~,-. i'-i L:.:; ANNUAL REPORT COlORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA Year Ending December 31, 1971 INTRODUCTION ; I The Colorado River is a major interstate and international stream. As shown on Plate 1, it drains about a quarter of a million square miles in seven states and forms one-twelfth of the land area of the continental United States exclusive of Alaska. Present uses, together with future projected demands of the seven Colorado River Basin states and the Republic of Mexico, exceed the long-term dependable water supply of the river which can result in water shortages and deteriorating water quality. California used about 5.1 million acre-feet (maf) in 1971, which is more than the amount used by the other six basin states combined. It is projected that California's use will be cut to 4.4 maf/yr. after completion of the Central Arizona Project. This is expected to occur in the early 1980's. The water development projects in Cali- fornia that use Colorado River water are shown on Plate 2. Because of the tremendous value of the river to the seven states and Mex- ico and the impending shortage, there are continual major problems concerning the river. As the predominant user, California has a significant interest in the resolution of the basin problems. The Colorado River Board of California (Board) was created as a state agency by the Legislature under Chapter 838, Statutes of 1937 (Sections 12500 to 12533, State Water Code). Its purpose is to protect and enhance California's rights and interests in the water and power resources of the Colorado River. The Board is authorized to accomplish these objectives through investigations, negotia- tions with other basin states and federal agencies, development of favorable legisla- tion and administrative decrees, and, if neces- sary, through litigation. The Board's six members are appointed by the Governor from nominees of each of the six public agen- cies of California having established rights to the use of water or power from the Colorado River. These agencies are: Imperial Irriga- tion District, The Metropolitan Water Dis- trict of Southern California, City of Los An- geles-Department of Water and Power, San Diego County Water Authority, Coach ell a Valley County Water District, and Palo Verde Irrigation District. The agencies con- tributed 40 percent of the Board's budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1971. By statute, the Chairman of the Board, elected by the members, serves ex officio as Colorado River Commissioner of California. The Chief Engineer, appointed by the Board, directs staff activities and as necessary, repre- sents the Board. The duties of the Board are stated in Sections 12527 through 12533 of the Water Code. The Attorney General is legal counsel to the Board. Pursuant to the Water Code, the office of the Board is located in the City of Los Ange- les. Regular meetings are held monthly and special meetings upon the call of the Chair- man. During 1971, the Board membership remained unchanged with Raymond R. Rummonds continuing to serve as Chairman and Colorado River Commissioner. Mem- bers of the Board and staff carried out their responsibilities through activities which are described in detail in other sections of this report. In addition, members of the Board and staff attended and participated in meet- ings of organizations having a prime interest in water policy matters such as: The Colo- rado River Water Users Association, the Na- tional Water Resources Association, the Southern California Water Conference, the California Water Resources Association, the Irrigation Districts Association, the Los An- geles Area Chamber of Commerce and Cali- fornia State Chamber of Commerce. 11