sr-032779-6c22Santa Monica, California, March 15, 1979
T0: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Construction of Peripheral
Canal of the State Water Project
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SAAR 2 7 1979
Introduction
This report recommends the passage of a City Council Resolution supportive
of the earliest possible construction of the Peripheral Canal sections of
the State Water Project.
Background
The Peripheral Canal portion of the State Water Project. was authorized and
approved by the people of the State with the Burns-Porter Act in 1960, but
as yet it has not been started. It has been the subject of innumerable
studies, each of which has concluded that it is the most economical and viable
method to transport water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area, but
will also conserve up to one-million acre feet of water annually. Since 1960,
efforts to proceed with its construction have been frustrated by controversy
related to export of water from the delta and its possible effect on the
environment of the delta.
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is the largest contractor
of water supplied from the-State Water Project and operates the Colorado
River Aqueduct which together supply the majority of Southern California
communities with imported water, including Santa Monica.
Due to a United States Supreme Court decision, Metropolitan's Colorado River
supply will be cut by more than half in the mid 1980's, and this makes the
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BAR 2 7 1979
To: Mayor and Council -2 March 15, 1979
earliest possible completion of the Peripheral Canal vital. Delivery of the
full entitlement of State Project water to replace the Colorado River loss
cannot otherwise be accomplished.
Recommendation
Staff recommends:
(1) that the City Council pass a resolution urging the California Legislature
to enact legislation which assures the earliest possible construction
of the Peripheral Canal portion of the State Water Project;
(2) that the City Council be supportive of and cooperative with other com-
munities and entities in their efforts toward construction of the
Peripheral Canal.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl
Ed Lash