Environmental problems raised over changes to river allotments

Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

Water hearing

The Bureau of Reclamation is asking the public for comments on the environmental impacts from new rules for sharing surplus water on the Colorado River. A hearing has been scheduled in Las Vegas.

When: Aug. 22

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Comfort Dental Conference Room, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, 3720 Howard Hughes Parkway.

Written comments: Due Sept. 8. Address to Jayne Harkins, Bureau of Reclamation, Attention: BCOO-4600, P.O. Box 61470, Boulder City, NV 89006-1470. Or fax comments to Harkins at (702) 293-8042.

Colorado River Basin states and federal agencies say there would be little or no environmental damage from a proposal to share the river's surplus, but environmental groups are expected to question that assessment next week.

The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity based in Arizona expects to ask the federal Bureau of Reclamation to address endangered species issues ignored in the agency's draft environmental impact statement, center spokesman David Hogan said.

The bureau has scheduled a series of public hearings on the plan to share surplus Colorado River water, especially among the three Lower Basin states -- Nevada, California and Arizona.

A key point of the plan is to wean California over the next 15 years from the excess it takes annually so that it stays within its allotted 4.4 million acre-feet a year.

Since 1996 a surplus of river water has been declared each year, allowing the three states to take more than their allotment.

California has consistently used more than 5.2 million acre-feet a year during surplus water years on the river to meet demands from both cities and farmers.

An acre foot is enough water to supply a family of four or five for a year.

The Metropolitan Water District, which provides water to Los Angeles and surrounding communities, this year is seeking 300,000 acre-feet more than its usual 551,000 acre-feet annual allotment to meet population growth.

Nevada's total allotment is 300,000 acre-feet a year.

The new agreement is likely to provide the extra water Southern California seeks by drawing down Lake Mead.

The proposed guidelines are "respectable and conservative" for sharing any water above 7.5 million acre-feet a year, the Lower Basin's portion of the Colorado's runoff, said Kay Brothers, Southern Nevada Water Authority resources director.

The Bureau of Reclamation's statement on proposed rule changes warns that Southern Nevada's water quality could be affected if Lake Mead is drawn down, but Brothers said none of the scenarios of sharing the Colorado's surpluses threaten drinking water quality.

Environmental impacts will go almost unnoticed to Lake Mead observers, Brothers said, because as the bureau releases more water from Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona and from Hoover Dam, the yearly change will be minimal, she said.

The bureau has listed five alternatives assuming various levels of water at Lake Mead. The alternatives include one that would not change river operations, called a "no action" alternative.

Under a shortage protection alternative, for example, enough water would remain in Lake Mead to ensure a one-year water supply for Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico.

Within the past month, all seven Western states -- Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Arizona -- have agreed on an approach to share the river's resources. Details of this plan will be presented as an addendum to the environmental impact statement, Brothers said.

The criteria would remain in effect until 2015 if the Interior Department approves the rules in January.

The change in criteria will help California live within its 4.4 million acre-foot share of the river, something it has not done for 20 years.