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Judge rules against landmark 2003 state water pact (QSA): Future of the Salton Sea in question

Posted by: Maven on December 12, 2009 at 9:05 am

salton sea by slworking2From the Los Angeles Times:

“A state judge appears poised to throw out a landmark pact involving California’s use of Colorado River water.

If upheld, Thursday’s tentative ruling by a Sacramento County Superior Court judge would unravel a complex 2003 agreement that put the state on a timetable to reduce its reliance on the Colorado River.

Brokered by federal, state and regional officials, the deal also established a program of farm-to-city water sales that are playing a growing role in Southern California’s water supply.

“It’s very serious,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “There will be appeals. It’s going to be some time before we know what it all means and what the impact is.” … “

Read more from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.

From the Riverside Press-Enterprise:

” … Water officials said they are unclear how the decision will affect the transfer and the future restoration of the Salton Sea, which was to be funded in part selling the transferred water to residential customers.

“I don’t think it has any immediate effect. It doesn’t mean the water will quit moving tomorrow,” said Steve Robbins, general manager of the Coachella Valley Water District, which gets about a third of the water. “I don’t see this as the death of the QSA. We might have to revise it.”

Kevin Kelley, spokesman for the Imperial district, said water will continue to flow at least until the district’s board and attorneys meet next week to discuss the tentative ruling.

The judgment is expected to be made final after the parties meet with Superior Court Judge Roland L. Candee on Thursday in Sacramento, where the trial was held. … “

Read more from the Riverside Press-Enterprise by clicking here.

From MyDesert.com:

” … Saving the state’s largest lake was a crucial piece of the water agreement, which was designed to reduce California’s overuse of Colorado River water and give other states their fair share.

“(The judge) invalidated that part of the contract, and because the rest of the contracts were so bound up with that Salton Sea question, he invalidated them too,” Kelley said.

The Coachella Valley Water District is carefully reviewing the ruling to determine its impact, according to a statement. CVWD receives 330,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually — an amount that would not be guaranteed without the QSA. An acre-foot is roughly the amount of water that two Coachella Valley homes use annually.

“We are sure (the ruling) does not mean the end of the QSA, but rather indicates more work is left to be done among all negotiating parties,” the statement said. … “


Read more from MyDesert.com by clicking here.

Imperial County officials hailed the decision, according to KXO Radio:

” … The Chairman says the County does not categorically oppose a prudent transfer of water to urban Southern California, but for six years has prosecuted its legal claims against the now invalidated arrangement. He says the court has sustained the County investment, and they hope and expect that its decision leads to a future in which the County has a place at the table, with the federal and state governments and the water districts, to ensure that any water transfer from this Valley protects public health and provides the County with the resources needed to ensure the outcome. … “

“The County contends once the decision is final there will be no legal authority to transfer water out of the Imperial Valley,” reports KXO. Read the full text of this story from KXO Radio by clicking here.

December 12, 2009 · Filed Under Imperial Valley, Salton Sea

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