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MPfRIAl RR bAI ~~ ~ ~IR [I OPERATING HEADQUARTERS. P. 0, BOX 937 . IMPERIAL. CALIFORNIA 92251 IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT'S BENEFICIAL WATER USE ENSURES LONG-TERM PROTECTION OF VALLEY WATER RIGHTS Coachella Valley Water History is Markedly Different Imperial Valley represents no less than a modem water miracle, a testament to the ingenuity of men and women in guiding this essential resource beyond the banks of the Colorado River and into unfamiliar territory, creating a food basket that sustains not only the Valley's 130,000 residents but also millions of agricultural con- sumers across America. Imperial Valley is a 365-day-a-year food and fiber factory. This Sl billion farm economy -- which represents about 65 percent of the County's total economy -- has expanded mightily since the turn of the century, when semi- nal water rights first were established. Compacts from the 1 920s and 1930s secured agreements still in force to- day, allowing Imperial Valley to become what it is. At the same time, farm technology has matured, providing the opportunity for fuller and more varied crops on more fertile land. All success, however, depends on water. And now, with California and other western states facing increasing water supply and distribution challenges, Imperial Valley's bounty is scrutinized anew. Instead of permanently solving its problems, the Coachella Valley Water District has cast an envious eye southward and begun a campaign to convince authorities and Imperial Valley residents themselves that CVWD has rights to water that 110 conserves. Without revealing an accurate picture of beneficial water use in Imperial Valley, CVWD claims some Imperial Valley consumption is wasted and should be diverted for their use -- free of charge. But CVWD lacks an accurate understanding not only of our water use -- which is far more efficient than theirs -- but of state and federal law which governs 110 use of water and permits transfers of conserved water. Neither criticism of no water use or the challenge to 110 rights to transfer water is correct. The following discussion clearly explains two major Imperial Valley truths: I. Agricultural water in the Valley is not only beneficially used, but aggressive conservation programs, system improvements and on-farm practices continually refine an already-successful irrigation management program. 2. Imperial Irrigation District's water rights and water use are fully protected under state and federal statutes, as is lID's ability to improve its system and on-farm practices through water transfers such as that proposed with the San Diego County Water Authority. A History of Conservation Supports The Imperial Valley's Reasonable and Beneficial Use of Water Imperial Valley pioneers who envisioned a fertile Imperial Valley could not have foreseen what the Valley offers today: 500,000 acres in cultivated farmland growing a variety of domestically consumed and exported crops. Critical to this development has been lID's contractual rights to water from the Colorado River. The Valley currently diverts about 3.2 million acre-feet per year. This represents by far the largest use of Colorado River water by a single entity. To ensure that this water is used wisely, lID has aggressively integrated conservation practices into its water management programs and pursued technology to enhance systems.