Arizona Braces for Water War August 25 2005

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"We all have something at risk when we litigate," said Sid Wilson, the CAP'S general manager. "If we could work together on a program of management, we could all be winners for a good long while." The plan under consideration today would focus on augmenting the river's flow, adding water by seeding clouds, removing non - native vegetation such as salt cedar, adding storage on the lower river and simply managing the water more efficiently. Wilson said he is confident such an approach could add 1 million acre -feet of water or more per year, easing the pressure on the lower river states. Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said what is happening now could be "a lot of saber - rattling," but she said Nevada can't just do nothing. "It would show a real failure on everyone's part if we end up in court," she said. "If we're pushed, we may not have a choice. Given what our resource picture is, we have no choice but to be dogged." Colorado created its own legal fund earlier this year and staked out its position that the lower river states, Arizona in particular, have taken more than their share of Colorado River water. Officials there have softened their public stance and have pledged to work on a cooperative plan. "We believe that we water professionals should be able to do a better job of managing the river than leaving it up to a judge or a court," said Scott Balcomb, Colorado's representative on the Upper Colorado River Commission. "Our thrust right now is to attempt to get some kind of a seven - states agreement in place" "(Still), I don't blame Arizona for being concerned about the situation that is unfolding," he said. "My boss was quoted in the Colorado papers indicating that if we needed to, we would have our own legal defense fund ready. Being ready to litigate, if that turns out to be the only option, is only prudent. None of us is gambling on an agreement."