AZ vs. CA:25 California Exhibits, Vol. XXV; Nos. 7501-7859

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COLORADO RIVER WATER RIGHTS Appendix 15 State of Nevada, Executive Chamber, Carson City, March 6, Hon. Eakl Warren, Governor of California, Sacramento, Calif. Dear Governor Warren : Replying to your letter of March 3, 1947, will say that I fully agree with you as to the necessity of the three lower Colorado River Basin States reconciling their different views regarding division of the water allotted to them under the provision of the Colorado River compact, and for maintaining a strong unified front for the proper development of the great system. The report of the Bureau of Reclamation on the Colorado River is an inventory of all possible projects and, while of much value, it does not advocate the construction of projects beyond the limit of available water, but if the States do not reach an agreement, such a chaotic condition might develop. All through the administration of Governor Carville in Nevada, sincere efforts were made by Nevada to bring California and Arizona to an agreement on the tri-State compact authorizad under section 4 (a) of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, for division of the downstream water. Nevada's interest was to make secure her small allotment of 300,000 acre-feet, together with an appropriate share of the surplus water, however that surplus might be divided between California and Arizona. Neither Arizona nor California took exception to Nevada's position, so in effect we were only trying to bring Arizona and California to an agreement. A great number of meetings were held, the three States being represented by the Colorado River Commission of Arizona, the Colorado River Board of California, and the Colorado River Commission of Nevada, with Governor Carville or his representative usually presiding. Nothing was accomplished by these conferences. At last Nevada discontinued negotiations and contracted directly with the Bureau of Reclamation for 300,000 acre-feet of water from Lake Mead storage, as water was urgently needed for the basic magnesium project. Our experience leads us to an opinion that California and Arizona will be unable to negotiate a compact, and may be unwilling to agree on terms of arbitration. Nevada has spent much time and money in efforts to bring the tri-State compact into being, completely without results. I am in accord with your thought that the three States, in the absence of other agreement, should join in requesting Congress to authorize a suit in the Supreme Court of the United States to determine our respective rights, and suggest that a method of presentation before the Court be agreed upon between Arizona and California, with which agreement Nevada will concur. My kindest personal regards. Sincerely yours, Vail Pittman, Governor.