WSP05088

• File Number: 8221.112.J
• Description: Central Arizona Project
• State: AZ
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 10/1/1993
• Title: Governor's Central Arizona Project Advisory Committee: Final Report and Recommendations
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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~, GOVERNOR'S CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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The state and CAWCD should aggressively study the potential benefits from
environmental, fish and wildlife use not only to produce benefits in the form of
natural resource enhancement, but also because such uses potentially reduce
repayment obligations on the Project. The acceptance of the $1.8 billion repayment
obligation may preclude allocation of these costs to non-reimbursable categories;
however, the cost of natural resources and environmental enhancements could be
used as offsets or credits against the repayment obligation under the Master
Repayment Contract.

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An Environmental Trust Fund should be established as part of the Committee's
recommendations on CAP restructuring. Alternative funding sources should be
explored including among others, a surcharge on underground storage and recovery
projects using CAP water. The Fund should be administered by the Department of
Water Resources for the maintenance, enhancement and restoration of aquatic,
wetland and riparian habitats. It is recommended that initially not less than
$500,000 per year be generated to start the Fund and a plan should be developed
to increase the Fund to a level of not to exceed $8 million per year.

The Governor should appoint an advisory committee with appropriate representation
from environmental, business and water users organizations to advise the
Department of Water Resources on the management of the Fund.

In no event would existing revenue sources currently available to the CAWCD for
repayment and OM&R be used to fund the Trust Fund.

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FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDA TIONS

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