WMOD00512 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

includes provisions for allocation. reimbursement of costs, and funding including finding new methods to provide adequate water supplies. J A national commitment to provide 1.85 billion m (1.5 million acre-ft) of water from the Colorado River to meet the requirements of the Mexican Water Treat.J., and an over commitment of Rasin water are recognized by Section~e2of Public Law 90-537, which states: "the Congress declares that the satisfaction of the requirements of the Mexican Water Treaty from the Colorado River constitutes a national obligation which shall be the first obligation of any water augmentation project planned pursuant to Section 201 of this Act and authorized by the Congress.... , 2. Section 606 (g) of the Ac t states: '" aupent' or 'augmentat ion' when used herein with reference to water, means to increase the supply of the Colorado River or its tributaries by introduction of water into the Colorado River system, which is in addition to the natural supply of the system." During the discussions leading to congres- sional approval of the Act, weather modification was considered a viable alternative augmentation source with agreement that water yields from cloud seeding would constitute additional water to meet Act requirements. According to the Managers on the Part of the Houae concerning Title II of the Act: "... all pouible sourcu of water must be considered, including water conservation and salvage, weather modification, desalination, and importation from areaa of surplus." The Act also states the Secretary of the Interior is responsible for determining and proclaiming that means are available and in opera- tion which augment the water supply for the Colorado River. He is also the responsible Federal party in the various laws, agreements, guides, compacts, and directives collectively known as the "Law of the River." The provisions of Public Law 90-537 are sufficient for the Secretary to undertake augmentation of the Colorado River by any justifiable meana, including weather modification, vith restrictions on planning interbasin importation. In 1975. the Secretary released the comprehensive Westvide Study Report on Critical Water Problems Facing the Eleven Western States authorized by Title II of Public Law 90-537.! The overall inadequacy of the natural supply was recognized. The report concluded: "Taking into consideration availability, quantity, quality, and cost of the augmentation alternatives, weather modification appears to be the most promising source of new water supply in the Western United States." It rec01llIlended initiation of two comprehensive research projects and accompanying social-environmental studies within the decade: (a) a demonstration program in the Colorado River Basin, and (b) a cooperative pilot program in the northern Sierra Nevada. The Westvide Report also recommended consideration of a 11-2