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Pre-1990 20 Jun 90 25 Jul 90 7 Aug 90 23 Oct 90 7 Jan 91 16 Jan 91 31 Jan 91 21 Feb 91 11 Mar 91 1 4 Mar 91 G032~-_6 ~~ r;=0 ~ \ \ ) S("~ CHRONOLOGY RE: ONGOING SEVEN COLORADO RIVER BASIN STATE DISCUSSIONS ON LONG-TERM RIVER OPERATION ISSUES Prepared by the Wyoming State Engineer's Office Revised December 1995 Deliveries for Lower Basin (AZ, CA & NV) consumptive beneficial use are below 7,500,000 acre-feet. California is using a portion of the unused water apportioned to Arizona and Nevada. Water Years 1987 through 1991 (1 Oct through 30 Sep) inflow into Lake Powell is the lowest for any consecutive five-year period of record. The 1988-1990 period inflows are the lowest of record for any three consecutive years since record keeping was commenced. During a meeting of the Colorado River Management Work Group, (which develops the draft Annual Operating Plan for the Colorado River Reservoir System), California indicates a need for water deliveries during 1991 in excess of 5,200,000 acre-feet. This level of delivery to California may result in Lower Basin consumptive use in excess of 7,500,000 acre-feet. During a meeting of the Colorado River Management Work Group, California announced her intention to request the Secretary of the Interior to make a surplus declaration (as provided for in the Criteria for Coordinated Long Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs promulgated pursuant to the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968). Seven Basin States Governors' Representatives (Wyoming State Engineer represents Governor Sullivan) meet to discuss providing additional water to California. Issues and state positions were presented, but no consensus was reached. Secretary Lujan released 1991 Annual Operating Plan containing a "normal" declaration thus limiting Lower Basin consumptive uses in calendar year 1991 to 7,500,000 acre-feet. California can continue to consume unused Arizona and Nevada apportionments in addition to her basic annual apportionment of 4,400,400 acre-feet. Upper Colorado Engineering and Legal Committees met but the four Upper Basin States don't reach a consensus position regarding deliveries of water above 7,500,000 acre-feet to the Lower Basin in order to meet California's request for additional water deliveries through the Colorado River Aqueduct. Governors' Representatives met. California presented a proposal to fund a weather modification program for the Colorado River Basin in order to augment the supply. The Upper Basin States presented a proposal for 1991 water deliveries in excess of 7,500,000 acre-feet in exchange for credits that would reduce future year deliveries. California appeared receptive to the Upper Basin proposal while Arizona and Nevada did not. Upper Basin States proposal presented at January 16th meeting is formalized in letter sent to the Executive Director of the Colorado River Board of California. Governor Romer of Colorado wrote to Governor Wilson of California stating his willingness, on behalf of Colorado, to "move quickly to work with the River Basin states and the United States to reach accommodations to assure that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California receives a full supply of Colorado River water this year. At the same time, I need your assurance that California is committed to formal discussions to resolve the longer term issues on the Colorado River with the other Colorado River Basin states..... Governor Wilson responded to Governor Romer's letter and stated his commitment to formal discussions among the Colorado River states to resolve long-term issues on the Colorado River. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Underwood wrote to each Governor of the Colorado River Basin States indicating his conclusion that there is a reasonable probability that Lower Division uses will be such that the Metropolitan Water District can divert at the full capacity of its [Colorado River) aqueduct for