Editorial: Prodding California on water

Tuesday, May 25, 1999 | 10:30 a.m.

Babbitt wants to ensure that all seven Colorado River states have enough water. So the interior secretary hasn't been reticent in expressing his unhappiness with California, which has been using almost 1 million acre-feet a year more than the 4.4 million acre-feet it is allocated.

The six-month deadline has passed since Babbitt made his announcement, yet there still is no agreement. But the Arizona Republic reported Friday that the Interior Department has sent a message to California that it is serious about resolving the surplus issue -- it is starting the process of writing guidelines that likely will come at the expense of California. "California is at risk here. If they do not come through, we might develop criteria that will not benefit them," David Hayes, Babbitt's chief deputy, said. "I think we're raising the stakes."

Representatives from the seven states that use Colorado River water, including Nevada, met in Tucson, Ariz., last week to hold informal talks on the Colorado River allocation when there is either a surplus or a shortage of water. Pat Mulroy, general manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, suggests the other Lower Basin users need to insist that California offer a concrete conservation plan before new allocation guidelines are put in place. We agree.

The other Colorado River states and the federal government have signaled a willingness to work with the Golden State and arrive at a reasonable solution. But it is time for the varied interests in California to get their acts together and discard the arrogant view they've held for years regarding the allocation of the Colorado River.