Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release December 18, 1997

Contact: Paul Bledsoe (702) 293-8420/(202) 208-3280

(Las Vegas, Nevada) -- In a wide-ranging speech regarding water issues crucial to Western development, U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt today announced first-ever rules to permit interstate transfers of Colorado River water, described criteria under which agricultural water from the Colorado River could be transferred to urban users and cautioned that much still needed to be done before California was in position to live within its allocation of Colorado River water.

“I believe the time has come for me as River Master to play a more active role,” Babbitt said.

“We have taken a major step toward bringing to fruition the interstate transfer of Colorado River water by state-authorized entities pursuant to off-stream banking programs in the lower Colorado River Basin, and a proposed rule addressing this issue will be published by the end of this month,” Babbitt said.

While telling an audience of several hundred at the annual Colorado River Water Users Association meeting in Las Vegas today that “positive actions” toward achieving sound, long-term water management of the lower Colorado River have occurred this past year, Secretary Babbitt also said much remains to be done to reach this goal. Babbitt said he will take actions to help move forward California’s attempt to develop a plan for living within its Colorado River entitlement.

For example, both the Imperial Irrigation District and Palo Verde Irrigation District in southern California have increased their water use in recent years. This is “a disturbing trend” that affects California’s attempt to develop its “4.4 Plan,” Babbitt said.

Babbitt warned the agricultural districts that they need to reach an agreement among themselves as to how much Colorado River water each should receive, and also resolve the issue of beneficial use of this water.

“Agricultural-to-urban water transfers must be based on a baseline quantum of beneficially-used water from which savings can be made” said Babbitt. “If the districts seek required Departmental approval of a water transfer without reaching agreement on the quantification and beneficial use issues, I will determine, as a precondition to approval, the maximum quantum of water that which a transfer can be made.”

Babbitt said California’s draft October 1997 “4.4 Plan” is a necessary and desirable step recognizing the need for programs that will allow California to live within its Colorado River entitlement. It also provides a basis for allowing the state to meet its needs from sources that do not jeopardize the entitlement of others.

He praised California for including a provision for settling the San Luis Rey Indian water rights issue in its plan, but noted that the State must still resolve agricultural beneficial use and quantification issues, and agree on costs for transporting water from the agricultural districts to urban entities through the Metropolitan Water District and San Diego County Water Authority Aqueducts.

Only once California resolves these issues, and has in place binding contracts, Babbitt said, will he put into effect surplus criteria that will allow California to continue to meet its beneficial water use needs from the Colorado River.

On environmental matters regarding the Colorado River, Babbitt noted that progress had been made in the last year.

“The adaptive management process we’ve developed for operation of Glen Canyon Dam has shown it can have positive benefits,” he said.

“We’re also working with the States, Tribes, environmental organizations and other interested stakeholders to complete planning activities for the lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. This program underscores our commitment to the restoration of threatened and endangered species, while addressing the water and power needs of the states. I applaud the Basin States for their commitment to work with us.”

“The rate of change in matters affecting the Colorado River can sometimes be frustratingly slow, but I believe important progress is being made,” Babbitt said.

“I acknowledge California’s efforts, and I appreciate the constructive engagement of the other Basin States in that effort. I also believe the time has come for me as River Master to play a more active role,” he said.

“I know we cannot resolve all these issues in the next year or two. There are additional opportunities for marketing Colorado River across state lines, and unfinished business relating toTribal water rights,” Babbitt said.

“But, if we keep at it, we will be able to assure that every need will be addressed and that no entitlement holder, or state, will be disadvantaged,” said Babbitt.

-- DOI --