WSP01529

• File Number: 8210.140.20.A
• Description: Colorado River - Colo River Basin - Orgs/Entities - CRBSF - California - Colo River Board of Calif
• State: CA
• Date: 7/8/2003
• Author: Gerald Zimmerman
• Title: Executive Directors Monthly Report to the Colorado River Board of California
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

002GO.

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Unawhvrized Use of Colorado River Water

At last month's Board meeting, there was a discussion concerning Reclamation's lack of
enforcement in curtailing the use of mainstream Colorado River water by entities along the River who
are not authorized to divert and use such water. As a result of that discussion, included in the Board
folder is a draft letter addressed to Reclamation Regional Director, Robert Johnson, for the Board's
consideration. This draft letter expresses the Board's concerns and requests that Reclamation
immediately initiate the process to formalize a rule to deal with unauthorized use of Colorado River
water.

Califomia's Colorado River Water Use Plan

Status of the QSA Discussions and Activities

On July I ", Representative Ken Calvert's Subcommittee on Water and Power held its third
Oversight Field Hearing in El Cajon, California, to receive testimony on the status of California's water
supply. Representatives Calvert, Napolitano, Hunter, Bono, and Davis were in attendance. Providing
testimony to the Committee were representatives from the States of Arizona and Utah, Reclamation,
Resources Agency, and parties to the QSA. Rep. Calvert stated that the focus of the oversight hearing
was that of "Quantifying our uses of Colorado River water." From the comments I have heard and read
in the newspaper, it appears that the parties are still not close to resolving the issues. However, they
are continuing to meet and exchange proposals with the hope of reaching agreement.

In a related issue, on May 27th and June 13'", the parties to the QSA briefed the Basin States
representatives on the revised March 12,2003 QSA. As a result of those meetings, the Basin States
requested some clarification with respect to the Secretarial Implementation Agreement and the
acceptability of its content to the DOL I have included a copy of the Basin States' letter and lID's
response to their letter in the Board folder. Also, included in the handout material is a July 7th letter
from the Basin States representatives to Govemor Davis. In that letter, the Basin States representatives:

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Indicate continued support of the Interim Surplus Guidelines;

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Want to see a commitment by California to a defined, enforceable program that includes
quantification of the agricultural priorities in California;

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Encourage the California legislation to authorize funds and enact enabling legislation
necessary for implementation of the Quantification Settlement Agreement and the
California Plan; and

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Formed a small group to work with California in resolving remaining issues regarding the
current draft documents.

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