Phil Rettinger

The committee meeting covered a comprehensive update on hydrology and operations within the Colorado River Basin, including snow water equivalent and storage levels for Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Key topics included the Lower Division States' proposal for post-2026 operations, which encompasses Lower Basin reductions, the establishment of a Tribal Pool, and adjustments to Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS) rules. Participants also reviewed modeling for the Lower Basin proposal, discussed the operation of the Upper Initial Units, and considered the federal government's preliminary preferred alternative for future operational guidelines.

This document provides an overview of the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) and its role in enhancing water supply reliability for California. Key aspects of the QSA include reducing California's overdependence on the Colorado River, facilitating the Salton Sea Restoration Management Program, and ensuring significant water supply through large-scale transfers and canal lining projects. The QSA stabilizes water supplies, enabling the state to live within its Colorado River entitlement, resolving water disputes, and supporting long-term regional water security.

The document features a presentation by Ben Graff, who represents Maricopa County on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board. Mr. Graff discussed Arizona's allocation of Colorado River water and outlined his motivation for seeking elected office, which included strengthening CAP's reputation by improving customer service processes and results for various stakeholders such as Native American communities, municipalities, agricultural uses, and taxpayers. Further information is directed to the website TrullArizonaProject.com.

Pinal Partnership is dedicated to ensuring a secure and sustainable water supply for Pinal County, recognizing its critical role in economic growth and future prosperity. The organization actively engages in responsible water conservation and management, shapes water policy through its dedicated committee, and funds water basin studies. By collaborating with municipalities, water providers, state leaders, and private companies, Pinal Partnership aims to defend and strengthen Arizona's water lifeline, fostering sustainable growth, economic resilience, and responsible environmental stewardship for current and future generations.

The meeting focused on providing information to water users, largely centered around water supply updates. Key discussion points included reviewing operations from the previous year, specifically addressing Alamo River releases which impacted pumping operations and required making up volume later in the year. Major operational challenges included system outages due to the Sun Valley high-voltage transmission project, which temporarily shut down the western end of the system. The discussion also covered water quality and biology, including problematic algae levels in the canal, and maintenance efforts on the Agua Fria and Sauber siphons. A significant portion of the meeting involved presenting data derived from the Excess Water Task Force, including details on CAP supply, turn-back water schedules, and a summary of Colorado River diversions. The Colorado River supply presentation detailed the results of the August 24-month study, noting 2018 was a dry year and explaining the implications for 2019 and 2020 water supply determinations based on the 2007 guidelines.