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l, ANNUAL REPORT COLORADO RIVER BOARD OF CALIFORNIA Year Ending December 31, 1970 INTRODUCTION 1- r" ..., 'i J ,', II I , The Colorado River is a major interstate and international stream. As shown on Plate I, it drains about a quarter of a million square miles in seven states and forms one-twelfth of the land area of the continental United States exclusive of Alaska. The seven Colorado Riv- er Basin states and the Republic of Mexico have future water requirements which ex- ceed the long-term dependable supply of the river by 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 acre-feet per year. California presently uses about 4,900,- 000 acre-feet per year, more than the other six basin states combined. It is anticipated that this use will be cut to 4,400,000 acre-feet after completion of the Central Arizona Pro- ject, expected after 1980. The water development projects in Cali- fornia that use Colorado River water are shown on Plate 2. Because of the tremendous value of the river to the seven states and Mex- ico and the impending shortages, there are continual major problems concerning the river. As the predominant user, California has a significant interest in the resolution of these problems. The Colorado River Board of California (Board) was created as a state agency by the Legislature under Chapter 838, Statutes of 1937 (Sections 12500 to 12553, State Water Code). Its purpose is to protect and enhance California's rights and interests in the water and power resources of the Colorado River. The Board is authorized to accomplish these objectives through investigations, negotia- tions with other basin states and federal agencies, development of favorable legisla- tion and administrative decrees, and, if neces- sary, through litigation. It is composed of six members appointed by the Governor, each nominated by one of the major public agen- cies of California having established rights to the use of water or power from the Colorado River. These agencies are: Imperial Irriga- tion District, The Metropolitan Water Dis- trict of Southern California, City of Los An- geles-Department of Water and Power, San Diego County Water Authority, Coachella Valley County Water District, and Palo Verde Irrigation District. By statute, the Chairman of the Board, elected by the mem- bers, serves ex officio as Colorado River Commissioner of California. The Chief Engi- neer, appointed by the Board, directs staff activities and, as necessary, represents the Board. The Attorney General is the Board's legal counsel. Pursuant to the Water Code, the office of the Board is located in the City of Los Ange- les. Regular meetings are held monthly and special meetings upon the call of the Chair- man. During 1970, the Board membership remained unchanged with Raymond R. Rummonds continuing to serve as Chairman and Colorado River Commissioner. Mem- bers of the Board and staff carried out their statutory responsibilities through activities which are described in detail in other sec- tions of this report. In addition, members of the Board and staff attended and participated in meetings of organizations having a prime interest in water policy matters such as: the Colorado River Water Users Association, the National Water Resources Association, the Southern California Water Conference, the California Water Resources Association, the Irrigation Districts Association, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and California State Chamber of Commerce. The Board and staff continued to work in cooperation with the Colorado River As- sociation in the release of pertinent Colorado River information and data to the news ":ledia, including the press, radio, and televi- sIOn. 9