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Greenwire: Tracking Policy, Politics and the Press Page 15 of21 TOP OF PAGE I GREENWIRE HOME I E&E DAILY HOME 14 WATER Calif. misses Dec. 31 deadline on transfer agreement ~ PRINT THIS STORY In the waning hours of 2002, the Imperial Irrigation District approved a deal to sell up to 200,000 acre-feet of water to San Diego, but the last-ditch effort to resurrect the water-transfer agreement left other water agencies little time to review the plan before the Dec. 31 deadline. The San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California said they could not sign the plan without having time to review the changes, which included $200 million to help fix environmental problems to the Salton Sea, allowing the liD to back out of the plan after one year and securing $150 million in loan guarantees to the liD. Bennett Raley, assistant Interior secretary, said the liD's proposal was not enough to avert the planned water reduction (Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News). Raley had forewarned that the Interior Department would cut off California's surplus Colorado River water if the water districts did not reach an agreement. California now faces a cutback of 800,000 acre-feet water. For years, California has taken up to 5.2 million acre-feet of water per year, surpassing its 4.4 million acre-foot allotment. Under a seven-state agreement, California must reduce its take by at least 600,000 acre-feet within the next 15 years; the water transfer was considered an integral measure (Green wire , Dec. 11). The liD's reversal -- it originally rejected a water-transfer agreement in December -- followed key concessions. The original 75-year agreement was reduced to 45 years and California Gov. Gray Davis (D) promised millions of dollars to aid farm workers, to build elderly housing, to improve schools and to expand San Diego State University's satellite campus. The state also offered $150 million in loan guarantees to farmers who installed water-saving systems. And lawmakers agreed to reserve $200 million to help protect the Salton Sea (Michael Gardner, Copley/San Diego Union- Tribune). Interior spokesman Kip White said, "The spigot does not get turned off (today)." Raley said it will be at least two weeks before cuts are carried out. And other department officials said the affected agencies will have 30 days to appeal the reductions (Chuck Squatriglia, San Francisco Chronicle). (All cites Jan. 1 unless noted.) -- MV Additional headlines: (All cites Jan. 1 unless noted.) . Los Angeles Times: "What now for water agency?," Jan. 2. . New York Times: "Failed deal in California cuts water for Nevada," Jan. 2. . AP/Boston Globe: "California faces cuts as water deal falters." . New York Times: "Calif. water users miss deadline on sharing pact." . Washington Post: "Time runs out for Calif. water plan; cuts likely." . Palm Springs Desert Sun: "liD's approval of water deal comes too late," Dec. 31. SEARCH FOR RELATED STORIES. TOP OF PAGE I GREENWIRE HOME I E&E DAILY HOME http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/Backissues/Ol0203/010203gw.htm 1/2/03