Laserfiche WebLink
<br />.' <br /> <br />.Q~77 <br />udv2 <br /> <br />surcharges to help fund a $50 million per year restoration fund. The CVP bill <br />was vehemently opposed by the California irrigators and by Governor Wilson, <br />Despite such lobbying, President Bush declined to veto the bill. <br /> <br />Changes in the Colorado River Basin <br /> <br />Against this backdrop of change and reform in Western water policy, change has also <br />been underway in the Colorado River Basin. That change has been, and can continue to be, <br />undertaken through a much more positive process than other changes that have taken place in <br />the West. For example, the Colorado River Basin States and Ten Colorado River Indian Tribes <br />have, over the last two years, been discussing ways to address their mutual concerns. The <br />central theme of these discussions has been a recognition that initiatives for change should <br />originate and be supported by the interests most affected. Moreover, change need not be <br />revolutionary. Major issues on the Colorado River can be successfully resolved within the <br />current framework of the laws affecting the use and allocation of water. If this process can <br />continue, each of the Basin States can realize positive benefit. If the process breaks down, the <br />States and Tribes risk that solutions will be imposed by forces outside our control. Some of the <br />major issues behind these discussions are the following: <br /> <br />. The construction of the Central Arizona Project is virtually complete, and water <br />deliveries have commenced. However; the lack of demand for water through the <br />Central Arizona Project has created a financial crisis for the Central Arizona <br />Water Conservancy District and the irrigation districts that must pay for <br />distribution systems from the CAP. An Arizona Governor's Central Arizona <br />Project Advisory Committee has been appointed to analyze these issues and <br />recommend solutions. In addition, it is clear that the Yuma Desalting Plant is a <br />federal boondoggle, and recent flood damage in the Welton-Mohawk area has <br />focused new attention on the viability of both the Desalting Plant and the Welton <br />Mohawk Project. <br /> <br />. Growth and development in Nevada caused the temporary cessation of <br />"commitments to serve" water to new municipal growth in the Las Vegas area, <br />and Nevada is expected to exceed its basic apportionment of 0.3 maf per year by <br />as soon as 2013. Las Vegas must receive the assurance of additional long-term <br />water supplies from some source, and the Colorado River has recently been <br />touted by Secretary Babbitt as the only logical source of additional water for <br />Southern Nevada. Secretary Babbitt, in a recent speech to the National Press <br />Club, pledged to look for a "market mechanism to help Las Vegas enter a new <br />era of water management." The states can, and should, find ways to secure <br />additional water for Nevada within the confines of the Law of the River, and <br />consistent with reasonable water management and conservation in the Las Vegas <br />area. <br /> <br />5 <br />