OCR Text |
Show 134 which plans have been developed calling for the increased use of mainstream water. These projects are already constructed, have irrigable but presently unirrigated lands within their service areas, and, at least some of them, already have delivery contracts with the Secretary of the Interior which provide for enough water to satisfy increased uses if such water is legally available under the interstate apportionment. No further governmental authorization and little additional financing is necessary to enable these projects to increase their mainstream uses. For example, the Imperial Irrigation District embraced 905,568 acres in 1956, of which only approximately 475,000 were irrigated. The District plans to irrigate a substantial part of these unirrigated lands primarily through existing facilities and pursuant to its existing water delivery contracts.5 Similarly, the Coachella Valley County Water District and Palo Verde Irrigation District presently contain unirrigated land which can be irrigated largely through existing facilities and pursuant to existing delivery contracts.6 Moreover, as of the close of the evidence in this case, the Metropolitan Water District planned a substantial increase in its diversions of mainstream water, under an existing water delivery contract. Arizona, however, argues that California is presently consuming more than its apportionment of mainstream water under the Project Act, and that existing uses in California should be limited and increased uses forever enjoined. Certainly Arizona's claim should be adjudicated so that the California agencies can make intelligent plans for their future development and operation. Increased uses of mainstream water would also be rapidly developed in Arizona if the question of legal availability were resolved in her favor, although, as stated above, BTr. 8216-8217 (Dowd) ; Calif. Exs. 275, 285. eCalif. Ex. 318; Tr. 8771-8772 (Tabor); Calif. Ex. 356. |
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 |