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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I consideration the implementation of water conservation measures. The overriding assumptions in this process are that no adverse impacts to agricultural operations should occur without compensation and that implementation of on-farm conservation measures will be voluntary. II. PROJECT SETTING Since the turn of the century, portions of the Imperial Valley have been irrigated. Today, Colorado River water is supplied by the Imperial Irrigation District to approximately 490,000 acres of agricultural land within the Imperial Valley. This Chapter presents a general overview of the description, location, history, and water rights of the District. lI.A Description of lID The IID is a public agency organized in 1911 under the California Irrigation District Act. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected at large from separate geographical areas within the District. As a consumer-owned utility, the IID provides both electricity and raw water to the lower southeastern portion of California. The IID's Water Department serves the largest irrigation district in the United States, diverting an average of nearly 2.8 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to the Imperial Valley each year (1987- 1984). The District's All-American Canal service area encompasses 976,721 acres of land within Imperial County. These lands are delineated as the Imperial, East Mesa, West Mesa, and Pilot Knob Units. Of these lands, 277,700 undeveloped acres are potentially eligible to receive Colorado River water. However, 133,700 acres of land within the East Mesa, Pilot Knob, and West Mesa units were closed to reclamation entry in 1991. Lands that have historically paid the water availability charge are considered to be the only lands currently entitled to receive Colorado River water. Of the remaining 134,000 acres, approximately 3,000 acres paid the IID Water Availability charge in 1994. Draft: Subject To Revision 12/21/95 2