By Janet Wilson | Palm Springs Desert Sun
A fierce local battle over water rights unfolding in a small southern California courtroom Wednesday could threaten federal plans to replenish rapidly dwindling Colorado River water supplies. A third-generation farmer is seeking an injunction to block the Imperial Irrigation District from signing on to the seven-state compact.
The hearing comes a day and a half after the longtime general manager for the district, Kevin Kelley, announced he will retire at year’s end, though he could stay on as a consultant.
Federal officials and water experts say the agreements, dubbed the Drought Contingency Plans, are critical to the American Southwest and parts of Mexico. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman has urged seven Colorado River Basin states to act on the plans by December to ensure “prompt and coordinated action” to keep Lake Mead and Lake Powell elevations high enough to meet demand.
