Laserfiche WebLink
<br />DRAFT <br /> <br />The third general approach taken to address area of origin <br /> <br />concerns emphasizes compensation. <br /> <br />Rather than reserving water, <br /> <br />the intent is to make the area of origin better off through <br /> <br />provision of benefits that more than offset the costs imposed by <br />the diversion. Cal ifornia took this appro~ch in developing its <br /> <br />State Water Project. <br /> <br />The Burns-Porter Act, passed in 1959 to <br /> <br />i: <br />create funding for the project, contained several provisions <br /> <br />intended <br /> <br />to compensate northern California for <br />'I <br />, <br /> <br />the loss of <br /> <br />water. <br /> <br />One form of compensation was funding for local needs <br />!' <br /> <br />including flood control.42 <br /> <br />In addition, the Act established a <br /> <br />grants program for recreation and fish enhancement and a loans <br /> <br />program for small projects and rehabilitation of domestic water <br /> <br />systems.43 <br /> <br />It should be noted, however, t~at this law retained <br /> <br />the permanent priority status for reside~ts of the areas of <br />origin discussed previously.44 <br /> <br />The 1968 Colorado River Basin project Act adopted a compen- <br /> <br />sation approach to address area of origin concerns. <br /> <br />Section <br /> <br />203(a) of the Act provides: <br /> <br />In tl1e event that the Secretary <br />~hall... plan works. to import water into the <br />Colorado River system from sources outside <br />the natural drainage areas of the system, he <br />shall make provision for adequate and <br />equitable protection of the interests of the <br />States and areas of origin, including <br />assistance from funds specified in this Act <br />to the end that water. suppl ies may be <br /> <br />42Cal. Water Code B12938 (West 1971). <br /> <br /> <br />43Cal. Water Code BB12934 (d) (6), 12880-12893 (West 1971). <br /> <br /> <br />44See text accompanying notes 20-22 supra. <br /> <br />18 <br />