Thursday, December 12, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Norton to address Colorado River group

WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton is scheduled to speak in Las Vegas on Monday to a Colorado River group as she contemplates action against California for excessive water use.

Norton is scheduled to address the Colorado River Water Users Association at its annual meeting, according to Isabelle Luna, a group spokeswoman.

The appearance will mark Norton's first address before the group, which in years past has invited Interior secretaries to speak at its annual convention. Hundreds of attendees with stakes in the river will arrive Sunday, but most critical meetings will be held Monday and Tuesday.

Norton's speech will come days after her department said it is likely to cut California's water allotment of the Colorado River next year.

The secretary could make a final decision next week. The Interior Department confirmed Norton's appearance, but declined to give further details about her speech.

California for years has used more than the annual 4.4 million acre-feet it is entitled to under an agreement with seven other states along the river. A vote earlier this week by a rural county board rejected a plan to sell surplus water to San Diego. The water transfer was the linchpin of the plan to reduce California's dependence on the river, and some officials said the vote could destabilize Nevada's water supply.

Nevada officials have said the state's surplus water allotment of 30,000 acre-feet also could be cut if California fails to implement a new water usage plan. An acre-foot, 326,000 gallons, is enough to meet the needs of a Las Vegas family of five for a year.

California has until Dec. 31 to negotiate a new water plan before a federal deadline.