39 



yet. There is consensus that we have to find ways to create incen- 

 tives to move water around. 



My view is I don't think we have enough experience yet to know 

 what the impediments are, whether the impediments are the dis- 

 trict, whether they are Bureau of Reclamation procedures and 

 practices, or whether it is the law. It is not for lack of trying, be- 

 lieve me. Our agency, Mr. Quinn and others have worked long and 

 hard to try our very best to make sure that we have as many 

 transfers as possible. I don't know whether Mr. Quinn wants to 

 comment. 



Mr. DOOLITTLE. Do you wish to comment, Mr. Quinn? You don't 

 need to. It is up to you. 



Mr. Quinn. I am anticipating questions about this down the 

 road. 



Mr. DOOLITTLE. OK. Well, my time is up. Let us go on to Mr. 

 Miller. We will get back to the water transfers when we get around 

 to me again. The gentleman from California, Mr. Miller, is recog- 

 nized, 



Mr. Miller. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Beard, how many 

 applications have there been for water transfers outside of districts 

 outside of the project? 



Mr. Beard. None. To us for approval, you mean? 



Mr. Miller. Yes. Well, I mean, it happens 



Mr. Beard. Under the CVPIA there have been a number that 

 have been discussed. 



Mr. Miller [continuing]. CVPIA. The transfer would have to 

 come for Secretarial approval. Is that correct? 



Mr. Beard. Yes. 



Mr. Miller. Have any been submitted to you for transfer? 



Mr. Beard. No. 



Mr. Miller. What about within the districts or within the 

 project? 



Mr. Beard. Within districts? We had 31 in 1994 for official ap- 

 proval and 33 this year. 



Mr. Miller. So what was the impact of the CVPIA on the ap- 

 proval of those? 



Mr. Beard. Well, they were all approved; 3 to 60 days to approve 

 them. 



Mr. Miller. Well, Mr. Nelson said it has made it much more 

 complicated — the CVPIA— the criteria in the legislation has made 

 it more complicated. I didn't even know there were criteria in the 

 legislation for in-district transfers — I mean, in project trsinsfers. 



Mr. Beard. Yes, there are. 



Mr. Miller. What has been the impact of those? 



Mr. Beard. Well, at least from the Bureau's perspective it has 

 not added burdensome requirements or slowed down the process. 

 But Mr. Nelson may have a different view. And, I happen to be of 

 the view that the most important thing is to find a process that is 

 effective, efficient, and quick so that we can all meet the objectives 

 that we agree we want to try to achieve. 



Mr. Miller. The issue of stakeholders was brought up in the tes- 

 timony, Mr. Beard, and I think Mr. Quinn had some good things 

 to say on that. But what happened to the initial efforts. Weren't 

 there some efforts to try to create an advisory committee or stake- 



