BILL NUMBER: AB 1561	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Kelley

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1561, as introduced, Kelley.  Colorado River.
   Under existing law, the state undertakes environmental and water
supply planning with regard to the Colorado River.
   This bill would make legislative findings and declarations
regarding the Colorado River.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) California will be required to reduce the amount of Colorado
River water it uses.  Beyond its basic apportionment of Colorado
River water, California will no longer be assured of the availability
of water apportioned to, but unused by, Arizona and Nevada, or the
availability of surplus water under this surplus water apportionment.

   (b) California's Colorado River Water Use Plan is a framework
document being developed to allow California to meet its Colorado
River water needs from within its basic annual apportionment of 4.4
million acre feet.
   (c) Representatives from Arizona, California, Nevada, Native
American tribes, the United States, local regional water and power
management agencies, and other stakeholders have formed a partnership
to develop a first-of-its-kind multispecies conservation program
directed at protecting sensitive, threatened, and endangered species
of fish and wildlife and their habitats.  The plan will be
implemented over a 50-year period following its planned adoption in
early 2002.
   (d) The expeditious completion and implementation of California's
Colorado River Water Use Plan is of paramount importance to
California's economy, the seventh largest in the world, and to the
continued health, safety, and welfare of all of its citizens.