By Janet Wilson and Ian James | Arizona Republic
The Imperial Irrigation District, which holds some of the oldest and largest rights to Colorado River water, on Monday tentatively agreed to a one-time contribution of up to 250,000 acre-feet of surplus water if needed to stave off shortages in Lake Mead.
But they tacked on several last-minute conditions aimed at easing farmers’ fears of permanently losing water, and to force federal and state officials to guarantee funding for clean-up of the Salton Sea.
The board reserved the right to finalize the agreements and any companion legislation submitted to Congress after all other water districts that rely on the river have signed on.
