Group threatens to sue river users

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 10:56 a.m.

A coalition of environmentalists says it plans to sue several federal agencies for allegedly neglecting to protect wildlife.

The environmentalists contend that the federal agencies violate laws by not preventing harm done to endangered species by dams in Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico.

The move is the latest effort by wildlife advocates to have water allocated from the Colorado River for dwindling river species.

Under the 1973 Environmental Species Act, a 60-day notice is required prior to filing a lawsuit. A similar notice recently given to federal agencies led to an agreement between environmentalists and federal officials. Another similar notice was followed by an unsuccessful environmental lawsuit over Hoover Dam's effects on the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher.

The environmentalists claim current water allocations exclude uses for the environment or conservation.

"Right now agricultural business and cities simply get every last drop of river water," said David Hogan, river waters director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's morally reprehensible that no water is left for conservation."

Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy said she has no position on a potential lawsuit, but said the effort to permanently allocate water for the environment was unrealistic.

"That's naive. The allocations of the Colorado River were set by compact. They were set by treaty. Congress doesn't have the authority to overturn them and the (Interior) secretary certainly doesn't have the authority," Mulroy said.

The announcement of the action comes as water officials from seven western states gathered in Las Vegas for the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference. which runs through Friday.