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<br />SignOnSpnDiego.com > News> Metro -- Imperial spurns water transfer deal <br /> <br />Page 2 of 4 <br /> <br />assistant general manager. Cushman said the Interior Department <br />could turn the spigot back on later if California can seal a deal. He also <br />remains confident of a last-second agreement. <br /> <br />"The clock hasn't struck midnight yet," he said. <br /> <br />The Imperial-to-San Diego transfer was a key piece of a seven-state <br />agreement that requires California to reduce its take from the Colorado <br />River during the next 15 years while other states receive their full legal <br />allotment. <br /> <br />The Imperial transfer was to help California cope with the loss of river <br />water while providing a reliable source for San Diego. <br /> <br />California has taken about 20 percent more than its share for years, a <br />habit ignored until Phoenix, Las Vegas and Denver grew rapidly. <br /> <br />If the river accord is not sealed by the end of the year, Interior <br />Secretary Gail Norton has threatened to abruptly curtail Colorado River <br />deliveries by as much as 800,000 acre-feet - enough for 1.6 million <br />households. <br /> <br />Imperial has first call on the river among California agencies, sparing it <br />from onerous reductions. <br /> <br />Metropolitan was last in line to tap the river, so it would be the first to <br />be forced to scale back. <br /> <br />Metropolitan, anticipating possible rejection from Imperial, had <br />already been lining up other water sources, albeit expensive ones, to <br />cushion the blow should the federal government enforce the threatened <br />river cutback. <br /> <br />The rejected plan involved what would have been the largest farm-to- <br />city water sale in the history of the nation. <br /> <br />At its peak in about 15 years, the proposal would deliver 200,000 acre- <br />feet, or enough for 400,000 homes annually, to the San Diego County <br />Water Authority. The agreement would last for 75 years. <br /> <br />That amounts to 6.5 percent of the Imperial Valley's 3.1 million acre- <br />foot allotment from the river. <br /> <br />One-third of needs <br /> <br />In contrast, the 200,000 acre-feet approaches one-third of San Diego's <br />annual need. <br /> <br />The Imperial district would have been paid at least $258 per acre-foot <br />to share among farmers, and to compensate businesses and farm <br />workers for any job losses. Currently, Imperial farmers get the water <br />for free, but pay a delivery charge of $15.50 per acre-foot. <br /> <br />The transfer drew intense opposition in Imperial County because of its <br />possible impact on jobs, and resentment over pressure from state and <br />federal officials trying to force the agreement. <br /> <br />http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/rnetro/2002121 0-9999 8n10water.html <br /> <br />12/10/02 <br />