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." ~.. .~ - L'-l'j;.,; ANNUAL REPORT COLORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA Year Ending December 31, 1972 INTRODUCTION The Colorado River is a major interstate and international stream. As shown on Plate 1, the basin drains about a quarter of a mil- lion square miles in seven states and forms one-twelfth of the land area of the 48 cotermi- nous United States. The water development projects in California that use Colorado Riv- er water are shown on Plate 2. Because of the tremendous value of the river to the seven states and Mexico and its impending short- ages and deteriorating water quality, there are continuing major problems concerning the river. As the predominant user, Califor- nia has a significant interest in the resolution of the basin problems. The Colorado River Board of California was created by the Legislature in 1937 as a State Agency. The Board is given the respon- sibility of protecting the rights and interests of the State, its agencies and citizens to the water of the Colorado River System. Means for protection include investigations and analyses of current problems, negotiations with other Colorado River Basin states and federal agencies, and development of favora- ble legislation and administrative decrees. The Board is composed of six members ap- pointed by the Governor and selected from lists of nominees furnished by the major pub- lic agencies of California having established rights to the use of water or power from the Colorado River. One member is appointed from each of the following agencies: Imperial Irrigation District, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles-Department of Water and Power, San Diego County Water Authority, Coa- chell a Valley County Water District, and Palo Verde Irrigation District. These agen- cies contributed two-thirds of the Board's budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1972. The Chairman of the Board, elected annu- ally by the members, serves ex officio as Col- orado River Commissioner of California. The Board's Chief Engineer directs the ac- tivities of the 13-member staff and represents the Board where necessary. Sections 12527 through 12533 of the Water Code list the du- ties of the Board. The California Attorney General is legal counsel to the Board. During 1972, Mr. Edgar L. Kanouse retired as a member of the Board. To replace him, Governor Reagan appointed Mr. Rob- ert V. Phillips, General Manager and Chief Engineer of the Department of Water and Power-City of Los Angeles. Raymond R. Rummonds continued to serve as Chairman and Colorado River Commissioner. Mem- bers of the Board and Staff carried out their responsibilities through activities which are described in detail in other sections of this report. 9