OCR Text |
Show 114 there is no possibility whatsoever that existing California uses might be curtailed, until these increased uses actually occur. At the present time Arizona and Nevada are capable of utilizing only a small part of their apportionments, and the Upper Basin depletion at Lee Ferry is less than 2,200,-000 acre-feet per annum. It will require construction of enormous new projects for Arizona and Nevada to fully consume their apportionments. Similarly, many new projects will have to be constructed in the Upper Basin before the flow at Lee Ferry can be depleted to such an extent that California projects would be endangered. Undoubtedly, it will be many decades before all such construction can be authorized, financed and completed. It is impossible to foretell how supply conditions may have changed or what new advances in the conservation or even production of water may have been developed by the time this occurs. Moreover, if ever the equities between California's existing uses and new uses in the Colorado River Basin have to be resolved, it will be for Congress to resolve them. No new projects, whether in the Lower or Upper Basin, which would affect Lower Basin mainstream supply can be constructed in the Colorado River Basin without Congressional action or acquiescence. Rivers and Harbors Act, 33 U. S. C. §§401 et seq. See United States v. Arizona, 295 U. S. 174 (1935); United States v. Rio Grande Irrigation Co., 174 U. S. 890 (1899); Oklahoma v. Atkinson, 313 U. S. 508 (1941); United States v. Grand River Dam Authority, No. 503-Oct. Term, 1959; Wisconsin v. Illinois, 278 U. S. 367, 411 (1929); United States v. Republic Steel Corp., No. 56-Oct. Term, 1959. Furthermore, as a practical matter, it is virtually impossible to finance such projects without the help of Congress. No new mainstream projects have been authorized by Congress in Arizona or Nevada, and California herself |
Source |
Original Report: State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California |