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<br />JUL-03-03 16,07 FROM,BALCOMB & GREEN PC <br />. . <br />, <br /> <br />ID,S70S45BS02 <br /> <br />On the basis of these points of understanding let me provide the following <br />recommendations to ensure successful completion of the QSA: <br /> <br />1. That this Subcommittee facilitates a series of face-to-face negotiation <br />meetings to be attended by the QSA parties, representatives of the basin states, and <br />Interior and the Department of Justice. Interior and all other parties should be . <br />requested to put forth all of the QSA issues that they believe must be addressed so as <br />to move the agreements to execution. <br /> <br />2. That the United States and 110 jointly file a motion to stay proceedings with the <br />federal court in San Diego. The purpose of the motion would be to have the court <br />recognize and understand the seriousness of the QSA settlement effort, and have the <br />court approve Interior's temporary stay of the 417 proceeding in an effort to finish work <br />on the QSA implementation. <br /> <br />3. That this Subcommittee schedules a series of oversight hearings to be <br />conducted over the next several months so as to monitor progress on the completion <br />of the OSA All of the interested parties should be compelled to attend and report on <br />their progress in implementing the aSA. . <br /> <br />Mr. Chairman, it may be a somewhat tired phrase but it is true - water is the <br />lifeblood of my community. Along with the other liD Board members I am duty-bound <br />to protect liD's senior vested water rights. and I can assure you that liD will do <br />everything within its power to defend its interests - up to the highest court of the land. <br />But I can also teH you that I have been around a long time and I have seen the results <br />of courtroom battles and other foms of confrontation. When it is possible, I prefer <br />settlement over litigation - and that is the current position of the 110 Board. <br /> <br />110 stands ready to assist in any way possible to ensure that the QSA is <br />implemented as soon as possible. I appreciate the tensions that exist betWeen 110 and <br />Interior, and between 110 and MWD and Coachella. But we are prepared to work <br />~ooperatively and in good faith with our QSA partners and the federal government to <br />make the QSA a reality. With your assistance, and with the assistance of your <br />subcommittee and other members of Congress, I am confident we can reach that <br />goal. <br /> <br />PAGE 25/34 <br /> <br />5 <br />