23 



And the reason this is not unrelated — I am sorry that the Con- 

 gressman from Nevada left — ^but the reason it is unrelated to 

 broader issues is to the extent the Metropolitan Water District or 

 other highly populated areas of California cannot get water, the in- 

 evitable pressure will build to alter the Colorado Basin Compact 

 that directly affects Nevada as well as other Colorado Basin states. 



And even the representation of Nevada Senators are interested 

 in maybe moving a little from Arizona to Las Vegas even as we 

 speak, and my guess is that to the extent that this Act is altered 

 and access to some water from willing Isindowners who choose to 

 sell to urban districts is prevented, it will simply hasten the day 

 when both — I don't know if it will get to be the Upper Basin states, 

 Mr. Cooley, but certainly the Lower Basin states — will be very con- 

 cerned about the pressure that will build for that water. 



In answer to the gentlelady from Idaho in terms of taxpayer dol- 

 lars, roughly in present value the Central Valley Project is about 

 3.7 billion. By 2030, as a result of the power charges and the water 

 charges, $230 million will be repaid of that. 



So, you know, when we started the reclamation projects many, 

 many, many years ago, it was supposed to be repayment in 20 

 years. Then we went to 40 years. Well, this will be 70 years after 

 the project was completed, and there will have been a repayment 

 of basically five percent. And it is all in the eye of beholders to how 

 much people are being charged. 



On the issue of tiered pricing, I would say simply that, you know, 

 I visited a few grapefruit growers down in San Diego County. They 

 are paying 4 or $500 an acre foot for their water, and they are op- 

 erating very efficient operations; little plastic tubes that go right to 

 the roots. The water goes right in. Meanwhile, you know, in the 

 Valley, it is a little different than that. 



And I think that if there was a more concerted effort to allow 

 price to determine conservation measures that the effort would be 

 made, and maybe we could solve some of this by accommodating 

 everybody. At least we don't know if we cannot do that now be- 

 cause as Congressman Dooley reiterated, the Act really hasn't had 

 a chance to work. 



So I would urge you please don't act precipitously. Keep people 

 around the table. Allow the Act to try to work and know that as, 

 you know, one Senator who has an interest in this, I will continue 

 to keep a very close eye on this from the Senate side. So, Mr. 

 Chairman, I welcome the opportunity to come and testify, and I am 

 sorry that I wanted to say just a few things, but, you know, I got 

 hot walking over, and I needed a chance to cool off. 



Mr. DOOLITTLE. Senator, thank you. As the author of the bill, I 

 hope that 



Mr, POMBO. Mr. Chairman, before you excuse the Senator and 

 since he came all the way back and wanted some hot question- 

 ing 



Mr. DooLiTTLE. Well, hang on a second then. We will get you in 

 line because we have got two others who want to go. We are not 

 going to excuse him right now. He provoked further questioning. I 

 just want to say to you that we believe in water transfers, and we 

 believe the bill needs to be changed in order to allow that to occur. 



