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<br />By the letter, and pursuant to Part 417, Title 43, Reclamation approved the modified diversion schedule
<br />for the CA WCD, I have included a copy of the letter under Tab 8 of your Board folder.
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<br />California's Colorado River Water Use Plan
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<br />Leller From The Metropolitan Water District oJSouthern California to the California Department oj
<br />Water Resources Regarding Disbursement of Funds Related to Coachella Canal Lining Project, May
<br />14, 2002
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<br />On May 14,2002, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), by letter,
<br />requested that the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) make available funds for lining
<br />of portions of the Coachella Canal. The funding agreement between MWD and DWR required the
<br />satisfaction of certain conditions prior to release of the funds. The three conditions included the
<br />following: (I) that the Salton Sea Authority certify completion of a seepage study and subsurface
<br />inflows into the Salton Sea from the All-American and Coachella Canals; (2) that all environmental
<br />documentation and permits required pursuant to the California Enviro_nmental Quality Act and National
<br />Environmental Policy Act be completed, approved and certified; 'and (3) that the Director of the
<br />California Department of Fish and Game make a finding that the canal lining project will avoid or
<br />mitigate all significant impacts on fish and wildlife resources, As the three conditions have been mel,
<br />MWD is requesting that the funds be made available,
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<br />Commillee on Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power, Field Hearing on Implementation of
<br />California's Colorado River Water Use Plan, I.a Quinta, CalifiJrnl'a, June 14, 2002
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<br />On June 14,2002, a field hearing was held in La Quinta, California, with members of Congress
<br />and the California Legislature to discuss the current status and challenges associated with California's
<br />Colorado River Water Use Plan, Mr. Spencer, of the Board's staff, attended the field hearing, Three
<br />panels of witnesses testified at the hearing. The first panel included Assistant Secretary of the Interior.
<br />Mr. Bennett Raley; EP A Regional Administrator, Mr, Wayne Nastri; and DWR Director, Mr, Thomas
<br />Hannigan, The second panel included representatives of the San Diego County Water Authority,
<br />Imperial Irrigation District, Metropolitan Water District, Coachella Valley Water District, and Imperial
<br />County Supervisors. The third panel included representatives of the Pacific Institute, Defenders of
<br />Wildlife, and Salton Sea Authority,
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<br />Assistant Secretary Raley stated that the Department of the Interior would adhere to the existing
<br />"Law of the River," and that the Department was moving forward with a two-track AOP FOR 2003,
<br />As was discussed at last month's Board meeting, the first track assumes execution of the QSA by
<br />December 31,2002, and continued operation of Lake Mead under the Interim Surplus Guidelines, The
<br />second track assumes that the QSA is not executed and thus, s~soension of the Interim Surp~
<br />Guidelines and moving to the 70R strategy for determining if a surplus condition exists, However,
<br />~nder this scenario, the Department of the Interior is considering treating Nevada differently than
<br />&Iifornia,
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