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<br />0024GJ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Assistant Secretary Raley also indicated that all of the potential federal environmental issues <br />will be addressed by the end of December 2002, and that the Administration took no position on the <br />Salton Sea and its ultimate disposition, Assistant Secretary Raley was asked if the QSA execution <br />deadline could be extended? He responded that it could be extended, but that option was not being <br />considered by the Administration and that the Secretary was bound by the Decree in Arizona vs. <br />California. <br /> <br />DWR Director Hannigan stated that significant obstacles to execution of the QSA included the <br />following: (I) the Fully-Protected Species issue; (2) other potential revisions to the California <br />Endangered Species Act; and (3) issues related to Salton Sea restoration, <br /> <br />The environmental organizations expressed concern about potential impacts to the Salton Sea, <br />Colorado River Delta in Mexico, and the riverine corridor between Parker and Imperial Dams resulting <br />from the proposed transfer of water from the Imperial Valley to the Coastal Plain, Mr. Michael Cohen, <br />of the Pacific Institute, stated that his organization supports the overall concept of the California Plan, <br />but questions the methods for implementation, <br /> <br />Finally, the Pacific Institute believes that there are growth-inducing impacts associated with the <br />transfer which must be identified and analyzed. He also stated that he believes that Colorado River <br />water needs to be re-allocated within California to address long-term needs, Both, Pacific Institute and <br />Defenders of Wildlife advocate a conditional approval of the transfer for a five-year period, utilizing <br />fallowing, and including additional scientific studies of potential impacts and remedies, <br /> <br />Mr. Spencer stated that there was a good turn-out at the field hearing, and that many members <br />of the media were present. I have included a copy of the letter that Mr. McFadden of the Coachella <br />Valley Water District received inviting him to testify at the hearing, Additionally, a copy of DWR <br />Director Hannigan's comments have been included in your Board handout materials, <br /> <br />Basin States/Ten Tribes Discussions <br /> <br />Meeting of Basin States' Representatives <br /> <br />A meeting of the Basin States was held on June 17,2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The agenda <br />for the meeting included discussions regarding the QSA and California's Colorado River Water Use <br />Plan, fallowing in the Imperial Irrigation District and impacts to the Salton Sea, Additionally, the Basin <br />States's representatives had a discussion on the current status associated with the Colorado River Delta <br />in Mexico and the efforts of the Basin States' Technical Committee, <br /> <br />A meeting of the Basin States' Technical Committee is scheduled for Juiy 3, 2002, in Las <br />Vegas, Nevada, The discussions will continue to focus on the outline prepared by the "Broad-Brush <br />Concept" work group to address potential water resources needs and management solutions related to <br />environmental conditions in the Colorado River delta in Mexico. <br /> <br />7 <br />