OCR Text |
Show meet the requirements reported under subsection (a) of this section, in conformity with section 207. (c) The plan for the first stage of works to meet the future requirements of the areas of deficiency and surplus as determined from studies performed pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited to, import works necessary to provide two million five hundred thousand acre-feet annually for use from the main stream of the Colorado River below Lee Ferry, including satisfaction of the obligations of the Mexican Water Treaty and losses of water associated with the performance of that treaty. Plans for import works for the first stage may also include facilities to provide water in the following additional quantities: (1) Up to two million acre-feet annually in the Colorado River for use in the Lower Colorado River Basin; (2) Up to two million acre-feet annually in the Colorado River system for use in the Upper Colorado River Basin, directly or by exchange; (3) Such additional quantities, not to exceed two million acre-feet annually, as the Secretary finds may be required and marketable in areas which can be served by said importation facilities en route to the Colorado River system. (d) The Congress declares that the satisfaction of the requirements of the Mexican Water Treaty constitutes a national obligation. Accordingly, the States of the upper division (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) and States of the lower division (Arizona, California, and Nevada) shall be relieved from all obligations which may have been imposed upon them by article III (c) of the Colorado River compact when the President issues the proclamation specified in section 305 (b) of this Act. (e) The Secretary shall submit annually to the Commission, the President and the Congress reports covering progress on the investigations and reports authorized by this section. SEC. 207. (a) In planning works to import water into the Southwest from sources outside the natural drainage areas of the Southwest, the Secretary shall make provision for adequate and equitable protection of the interests of the States and areas of origin, including (in the case of works to import water for use in the lower basin of the Colorado River) assistance from the development fund established by title IV of this Act, to the end that water supplies may be available for use therein adequate to satisfy their ultimate requirements at prices to users not adversely affected by the exportation of water to the Colorado River system. (b) All requirements, present or future, for water within any State lying wholly or in part within the drainage area of any river basin and from which water is exported by works planned pursuant to this Act shall have a priority of right in perpetuity to the use of the waters of that river basin, for all purposes, as against the uses of the water delivered by means of such exportation works, unless otherwise provided by interstate agreement. SEC. 208. (a) On or before December 31, 1969, the Secretary shall submit a proposed reconnaissance report on the first stage of the staged plan of development for the Southwest to the Commission and affected states and Federal agencies for their comments and recommendations which shall be submitted within 90 days after receipt of the report. The Secretary shall proceed promptly thereafter with preparation of a feasibility report on the first stage of said plan of development if he finds, on the basis of reconnaissance investigations pursuant to Section 206, that a water supply surplus to the needs of the area of origin exists, benefits of the proposed first stage exceed costs, and repayment can be made in accordance with Titles III and IV of this Act. Such feasibility report shall be submitted to the Commission and to the affected states and Federal agencies not later than December 31, 1971. (b) After receipt of the comments of the Commission and affected states and Federal agencies on such feasibility report, but not later than June 30, 1972, the Secretary shall transmit his final report to the President and, through the President, to the Congress. All comments received by the Secretary under the procedure specified in this section shall be included therein. 50 |