Water Officials Discuss Dispute

Feuding water officials from San Diego County and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California were brought together for six hours Tuesday in the office of Gov. Pete Wilson to air their grievances and explain their clashing points of view.

Sean Walsh, the governor’s spokesman, said more meetings will be scheduled in an effort to resolve a dispute that is blocking consummation of a historic water transfer agreement.

“We’re treating this similar to dealing with a peace treaty in a diplomatic mission,” Walsh said.

At issue is a proposed agreement whereby the MWD would allow use of its 242-mile Colorado Aqueduct to bring a portion of the Imperial Irrigation District’s share of the Colorado River to San Diego.

After months of negotiations between the two agencies, Wilson summoned officials from both sides to a meeting with his chief of staff, George Dunn, and state water director, David Kennedy.

Dunn and Kennedy will meet with each side privately before scheduling another joint meeting.

Although the two sides remain far apart on issues of price, storage and control, they agreed Tuesday on one point: a mutual gag order in which only the governor’s office would discuss the meeting.

San Diego says the transfer would help break its historic dependence on the MWD. The MWD says San Diego is threatening the regional approach to water that has served Southern California well.