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<br />WESTERN
<br />'ST~tES WATER
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<br />September 24,1993
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<br />TIIE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF TIIE WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL
<br />
<br />
<br />editor - Tony Willardson
<br />
<br />Creekview Plaza, Suite A-201/942 East 7145 So./ Midvale, Utah 84047 / (801) 561-5300 / FAX (801) 255-%42
<br />
<br />typist - carrie Curvin
<br />
<br />WATER RESOURCES/ORGANIZATlONS
<br />
<br />Bureau ofReclamationJWestern Legislative Conference
<br />
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<br />
<br />The Western Legislative Conference met in Las
<br />Vegas on September 19-21. Joe Dini, Speaker of the
<br />Nevada State Assembly and a WSWC member, chairs
<br />its Water Policy Committee. The Committee discussed
<br />water supply challenges in southern Nevada, and
<br />state and federal officials addressed recent water
<br />policy initiatives. These included the Bureau of
<br />Reclamation's evolving mission, EPA's watershed
<br />initiative, the WGA/WSWC Park City Principles, an
<br />update on reauthorization of the Clean Water Act, and
<br />reserved rights developments.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Dan Beard
<br />spoke to Conference members on "Water Wars: East
<br />vs. West, City vs. Farm - Water Reaching a Crisis."
<br />However, he took issue with this title, noting that a war
<br />was not in progress, but "slow, inexorable change."
<br />He described the history of the Bureau and the forces
<br />which are changing its mission, and federal water
<br />resource policies. He mentioned Las Vegas growth
<br />and urbanization as an example. He also discussed
<br />the increasing public value placed on protecting the
<br />environment, and the Congressional desire, backed by
<br />the courts, to protect Indian water rights. Since new
<br />large scale water supply projects are not popular, he
<br />concluded that new demands will have to be met by
<br />transfers from existing uses. Beard said that the
<br />Bureau and other agencies in the West need to look
<br />at alternatives associated with water transfers, and
<br />improving efficiency and conservation. He also noted
<br />the increasing pressure to end federal subsidies that
<br />foster inefficient water allocation. . .
<br /><.'
<br />"
<br />
<br />Commissioner Beard spent some time speaking
<br />about the Administration's per10rmance review, and
<br />
<br />chairman - Dave Kennedy
<br />
<br />executive director - craig Bell
<br />
<br />how it would be applied to the Bureau of Reclamation.
<br />He discussed the importance of delegating authority,
<br />developing quality leadership, and also redefining
<br />organizational functions. Henceforth, reviews will be
<br />performed by Reclamation and projects or programs
<br />that do not show any ''Value added," will be
<br />discontinued. Also, activities that do not contribute to
<br />the new mission of the Bureau will be phased out.
<br />
<br />Someone asked Commissioner Beard about any
<br />potential water leases from the Colorado River, and he
<br />responded that the needs of Southern Nevada were a
<br />high priority. The Administration wants to allow the
<br />Lower Basin states to "move water around," and make
<br />the "Law of the Colorado River" work. "We have to
<br />have the ability to be creative," he added. When
<br />asked if once leased, water would ever be returned,
<br />he frankly answered that he did not know, but believed
<br />that such things could be worked out. He said that
<br />proposed regulations are forthcoming from the Bureau
<br />on its role in facilitating such transfers.
<br />
<br />Ground Water Recharge\Bureau of Reclamation
<br />
<br />The Bureau of Reclamation's High Plains States
<br />Ground Water Demonstration Program was authorized
<br />in 1984 to study the potential for artificial ground water
<br />recharge in western states. Twenty-one projects were
<br />authorized. Nine are operating and four are under
<br />construction. However, these may be the last built.
<br />Commissioner Dan Beard has decided that, faced with
<br />strong budgetary constraints, additional funds required
<br />to complete the remaining eight projects can be more
<br />effectively used elsewhere, as little additional scientffic
<br />information would be obtained. Beard concludes, "If
<br />resources become available, the additional eight sites
<br />could be reconsidered. Otherwise, I will request a
<br />change in the legislation to reduce the original twenty-
<br />one projects to thirteen."
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