State Water Board Chair Briefs Delegation -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 1 -- January 9, 2003

Art Baggett, the Chair of California's State Water Resources Control Board, briefed California congressional staff on state water issues on Wednesday, January 8. The briefing was hosted by Rep. George Radanovich (Mariposa). The SWRCB regulates all California water, with the exception of drinking water.

Among the several areas Mr. Baggett discussed, he pointed out that no substantial water project, such as on-site storage, has been undertaken in California in the past 25 years, and that with current laws and regulations, it would take about 10-12 years to obtain the necessary permits and build the project. Also, despite the efforts California authorities have put into desalination, desalinated water still only accounts for .03 percent of California's water.

In detailing the uses of California's water, Mr. Baggett stated that 46 percent goes for environmental purposes, 43 percent for agriculture, and 11 percent for urban use. Of the 4.4 million acre-feet (maf) which California is allowed to take from the Colorado River, 3.85 maf goes to irrigate crops in Palo Verde, Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley.

More information on California water can be found at the Board's website: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov and from the Water Education Foundation at http://www.watereducation.org .

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