WSP02490

• File Number: 8021
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Western States Water Council
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/14/1992
• Author: Western States Water
• Title: Western States Water 1992 - Issues 921-972
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

tenth that amount in wet years. Delta water users will
have to interm~ently cease pumping to increase flows
of fresh water and create a 'pulse' to aid migration of
striped bass and salmon fry. The rules also create
water user fees to raise $60M to restore fish habitat.
Under the new rules, urban interests must use water
more efficiently and implement water conservation
measures. The rules require water meters and low-
flush toilets in all new homes using Bay-Delta water
supplies, and low water-use landscaping.

The Board plans to vote on the new rules near the
end of January, after reviewing public comment. The
initial reaction has been mixed. Governor Pete Wilson
has created a 22-member Bay-Delta Oversight Council
to help develop a long-term solution to the Bay-Delta
water delivery issue that will accommodate urban,
agricultural, and environmental interests.

WATER RESOURCES

California/CentraJ Valley Project

On December 14, Governor Wilson and Interior
Secretary Manual Lujan signed a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) outlining a process for the state to
acquire and operate the federal Central Valley Project
(CVP). The project was initially begun by the state
in the 1920-30's, but the federal government stepped
in to finance and complete it during the Depression.
The CVP accounts for 20% of the water delivered in
the state (WSW#933). Last March, Governor Wilson
called for negotiations to transfer control to California
declaring, 'A state with over 30 million citizens should
not have its single largest block of water being
governed by en@es over 3,000 miles away.'

In signing the MOA, Wilson stated, 'This
agreement offers a reasoned, constructive process to
negotiate transfer of the CVP.... This historic
agreement recognizes that the people of California
are best equipped to assume the responsibilities for
the management and use of California's water.
Californians have the right to shape our water destiny.
This agreement sets the stage for allowing us to
resolve the challenges we face in meeting our
demands for water for ourselves.... Full control over
the largest single portion of our delivered water--the
Central Valley Project--and its integration with state
projects are cr~ical if we are to meet these
challenges.'

Interior Secretary Lujan agreed, 'This historic
agreement represents a clear endorsement of the.
long-standing principle of state primacy in matters of
water allocation, distribution and use. California
should be able to manage its water issues with the
flexibility that is crucial to efficient use.' Any transfer
will require the new Administration's approval and
Congress' authorization. Wilson said, 'It is my hope
that the new Administration in Washington and the
new Interior Secretary will seize on the opportunity
that this agreement represents and join us in
returning control of California's water to...California.'

California's comm~ment to the takeover grew w~h
enactment of H.R.429, which included the Central
Valley Project Improvement Act that Wilson had urged
President Bush to veto (WSW #964). However, the
MOA promises the state will implement the changes.
State and federal agencies will work together to
restore and enhance fisheries and wildlife, prepare
annual operating plans, develop a water conservation
program, and renew CVP water service contracts.

The MOA does not put a price on the project.
The remaining reimbursable cost under federal law
totals $1.9B, while the estimated replacement cost is
just over $7B. California and Interior will negotiate the
price and general terms and conditions that will be .
subject to completion of an environmental impact
statement required by the National Environmental
Policy Act and Calilornia's Environmental Quality Act,
as well as other state and federal laws (WSW # 936).

Some potential benefits for Calilornia include:
(1) increasing the CVP's yield through greater system
efficiencies and reducing redundancies between the
CVP and the State Water Project; (2) improving water
management, water conservation practices and water
marketing; (3) improving conjunctive ground water
and surface water management; (4) more successful
and efficient water deliveries through the San
Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta; and (5) better
protection of vital aquatic ecosystems.

WSWC chairman David Kennedy, Director of the
Department of Water Resources, and Secretary for
Resources Douglas Wheeler are negotiating for the
state. A 17-member state advisory comm~ee is
chaired by state Senator Ruben Ayala, also a WSWC
member. It represents urban, agricultural, and
environmental interests.

The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors .
of member stales - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, NorthEDakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming - and Oklahoma an associate member.