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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2001

The Department of Interior is worried the state of California might not meet the requirements of a plan affecting water usage on the Colorado River, said a senior official on Thursday.

Assistant Secretary Bennett Raley said the state has a lot of work to do to come into compliance with the "4.4 Plan." California has long taken more than its fair share of the river and the plan is designed to reduce usage to 4.4 million acre-feet.

Tribes have rights to the river that must be respected and quantified, the Supreme Court ruled last year. Tribal leaders yesterday who attended the annual Colorado River Water Users Association said their interests are being ignored.

Get the Story:
California Is Still Thirsty For Colorado River Water (The Salt Lake Tribune 12/14)
River stakeholders agree water rights must be respected (The Salt Lake Tribune 12/14)
Feds: California must cut Colorado draw (AP 12/14)

Relevant Links:
Colorado River Water Users Association - http://crwua.mwd.dst.ca.us

Related Stories:
Calif. tribes restored water rights (2/1)
Western water agreement signed (01/17)
Babbitt praises tribal involvement (12/15)
Western water rights plan reached (12/15)
Cost of Ute settlement questioned (11/2)
Court upholds water rights (Enviro 06/20)