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.' U. 3 - 3 ' Vi ~ i Chronology Re: Colorado River Basin States Discussions on Long-Term Issues Page 6 3 Nov 95 20 Nov 95 20 Nov 95 22 Nov 95 29 Nov 95 5 Dec 95 7 Dec 95 The Arizona Department of Water Resources transmitted a paper providing Arizona's perspective on the Lower Colorado River issues that are being discussed by the three Lower Basin States. Paper identifies those proposals that AZ believes offer promise for further negotiations (surplus/shortage discussions, Article II(B)(6) transfers, offstream banking and inadvertent overrun accounting) and those that AZ feels they cannot accept. Lower Basin States' principals meeting held in Burbank, California. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Southern Nevada Water Authority announce that they have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding that will "create the essential spirit of cooperation in all future discussions on the Colorado River." The MOA' s several components include: o the parties agree to establish a long term partnership for the purpose of securing additional reliable supplies of Colorado River water. o the parties agree to jointly pursue opportunities to better manage the water resources of the Lower Colorado River o the parties agree to become partners in the All American Canal Lining Project. The two agencies will become full partners in the project and Metropolitan has agreed to forbear up to 30,000 acre-feet of the anticipated savings to the SNWA. Arizona Governor Symington writes to Secretary Babbitt, in a letter also signed by the Chief Officers of the Arizona House and Senate, strong objections to the MWD/SNWA MOA. The letter expresses Arizona's extreme disappointment and betrayal at the "secret negotiation" of the MWD/SNWA MOA and states that "History demonstrates that Arizona will take whatever actions that are necessary to protect its entitlement to Colorado River water ... Arizona has the right to rely on the assurance of its Colorado River apportionment and will not allow that right to be undermined. We will continue to pursue any action necessary, including renewed litigation before the United States Supreme Court, to protect that entitlement." Secretary Babbitt met with the Upper Basin States' principals in Denver, Colorado. The Secretary advised that he has made no decisions or approved any "deal" involving the All-American Canal lining partnership outlined in the MWD/SNWA MOA as no proposal has been placed on his desk. He assured those there that he will consult with all seven of the Colorado River Basin States prior to making any decisions. Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Rita Pearson sent a letter to John Wodraska, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Pearson addressed their November 19th meeting where MWD offered to consider changes to the priorities on the River, as specified in the Colorado River Basin Project Act, and stated that: "After that meeting, for the first time in the lengthy course of these tri-state discussions, Arizona saw the possibility that it might benefit, like California and Nevada, from the outcome of these discussions." The letter went on to state that "if the priorities dictated by the Colorado River Basin Project Act were changed in a way to provide legal certainty to Arizona that central Arizona would not suffer great risk from shortages on the River, Arizona's position on Colorado River issues would likely change significantly. Since changing the priorities became a possibility on November 19, Arizona has had to reconsider its position on top-water banking and other changes to River law and management ... we are eager to discuss these issues further with California and Nevada." Secretary Babbitt addresses the Colorado River Water Users Association at their 50th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The Secretary again states that he has approved nothing because no proposal has been presented to him. "No application has yet been presented to the Secretary. No decisions on any particular proposals have yet been made by the Department." He called for a new era of cooperation and water conservation among the States of the Lower Colorado River Basin. His approach would