WSP07982

• File Number: 8021
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Western States Water Council
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/8/1993
• Author: Western States Water
• Title: Western States Water 1993 - Issues 973-1024
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

protection.' The work of a 21 -member Bay-Delta
Oversight Council to negotiate a long-term set of rules
for Bay Delta water deliveries is expected to begin
soon.

WATER RESOURCES

Water Exports/Alaska

The State of Alaska has now released a discussion
paper on water exports and sales ryvSW #966)
prepared by Ric Davidge, State Division of Water
Director. Accompanying the paper are draft
regulations to implement a new water conservation
fee for any water removed from a hydrologic unit
within the state. The intent is to offset public costs of
water exports. The discussion paper asserts that: (1)
marine transport of water to Mexico or California is
possible before 1995; (2) the economic benefits of
such transfers could be significant; and (3)
cooperative work between interested parties could
make water exports a reality. Concepts evaluated
include the market for water, water sources, delivery
systems, resource development economics,
transportation and marketing, environmental and
social impacts, other limitations, and strategies for
development. For copies call [phone].

In looking at water markets in the Southwest, the
report finds the average cost of delivered water to
California coastal communities from the state water
project is about $500 per acre-foot (ac/ft). The
average cost of reclaimed wastewater in California is
between $700-$1400 per ac/ft. The cost of
connecting Santa Barbara to the state water system
and delivering water was estimated at $1200-$5400
per ac/ft. Santa Barbara recently completed a
desalination plant to treat emergency water supplies
at $1,965-$1,312 per ac/ft. Outside of California,
municipal purchases in Colorado of agricultural water
cost about $1,400-$1,500 per ac/ft, while water rights
in Reno, Nevada, for new subdivisions are valued at
$2,000-$2,500 per ac/ft. To be competitive, Alaska
officials believe they need to deliver water for less
than $1,500 per ac/ft. Sunbelt Water, Inc., has
offered Baja officials in northern Mexico a ten year
contract to deliver water for less than $1,500 per ac/ft.

Alaska has also completed a strategic plan for
developing water and other natural resources, while
conserving Alaska's wild, scenic and cultural values.

The Division of Water is preparing tactical plans to
implement the strategy, and identifying potential .
regulatory problems and solutions. For example, the
Division of Water is negotiating a memorandum of
agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to inventory
and characterize potential water sources for export
from southeastern Alaska.

WATER RESOURCES/WATER RIGHTS

Colorado River!lndian Reserved Water Rights

In a presentation to the Colorado River Water
Users Association in December entitled 'Tribal Leasing
of Colorado River Waters: Federal Policies and
Regional Realities' author Daniel H. Israel asserted,
'had there been no 1922 [Colorado River] Compact,
Upper Basin marketing might be the law of the river.'
He went on to say, 'water leasing by Colorado River
[Indian] tribes advances new federal policies and
current regional realities.' The assumption underlying
these thoughts was that the 1922 Compact plan was
to equitably develop the waters of each basin, but
that while Lower Basin federal policies have secured
full 1922 Compact depletions, Upper Basin federal
policies have maximized Colorado River preservation,
not development. The presentation explained the
meaning of the phrase in the 1992 compact that .
nothing in it would affect the obligations of the United
States to Indian tribes as 'the United States has a
trustee obligation to assist the tribes to fully develop
their resources.' The author concluded, 'Interstate
water marketing represents...an important economic
opportunity. If properly structured, such transactions
can restore the promise and commitments giving rise
to the 1922 Colorado River Compact - namely, that
each basin in the federal government pledge to
secure the eauitable development of the waters of the
Colorado River.' Mr. Israel may be reached at (303)
939-8180.

PEOPLE

The National Water Resources Association Board
of Directors has elected Ivan W. Flint as President for
1993-94. WSWC member Fred N. Pfeiffer, San
Antonio River Authority General Manager, was elected
Vice-President. WSWC member Wayne P.
Cunningham, Agricuitural Policy Analyst for the New
Mexico Department of Agriculture, was re-elected
treasurer.

The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors .
of member states - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and associate member state Oklahoma