Colorado River Water Reductions

The Times is correct to define 1997 as a “crucial time for water planning” for Southern California (editorial, March 20). In fact, the Metropolitan Water District has been preparing for the emerging era when California must live within its fair share of water from the Colorado River.

Metropolitan set the pace in 1989 for equitable, voluntary water transfers from agricultural areas to urban areas with a program to save more than 100,000 acre-feet of water per year in the Imperial Valley. A more recent initiative assists a Kern County irrigation district in a water-storage program. Both programs will allow water to be available to Southern California in dry years, while also benefiting our partners in the Imperial and San Joaquin valleys.

Metropolitan is also a strong supporter of the CALFED program, an unprecedented cooperative effort among urban, agricultural and environmental interests to develop a long-term comprehensive plan to restore ecological health and to improve water management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta system.

There is little doubt that Metropolitan and its 27 member public agencies will engage in further water transfers, especially from agricultural areas on the Colorado River. Providing incentives for the water-fortunate on the river to engage in extraordinary conservation so that urban agencies can purchase the water saved will not only ensure that California eventually reduces its dependence on the Colorado River, but also alleviates pressure on the Bay-Delta.

JOHN V. FOLEY, Chairman

MWD, Los Angeles