For Immediate Release

January 31, 2003

Bay-Delta Water Rights Proceedings Dismissed Before the State Water Board

Sacramento Valley Water Agreement Finalized by Unprecedented Consortium of Water Interests

Sacramento. The controversial and contentious Bay-Delta water rights proceedings affecting nearly all Sacramento Valley water rights--commonly known as the Phase 8 proceedings--were dismissed today before the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Rather than proceeding in a regulatory process, an unprecedented group of water users from throughout the state recently signed an agreement to implement the .Sacramento Valley Water Management Program (Program).

The Program protects Northern California water rights and contains a commitment from water users throughout the state that the Sacramento Valley will receive full water supplies--both now and into the future. Under the Program, local water suppliers in the Sacramento Valley will develop projects as part of an integrated water management program that will be fully developed as part of both short- and long-term work plans. These projects will be developed to provide water for farms, cities and fish and wildlife in the Sacramento Valley, while also helping to meet environmental needs and improve water supplies and quality in other parts of the state.

This Program preserves the water rights that Northern California is built upon,. said Mary Wells, a farmer and NCWA Chairman. The Program also provides an excellent opportunity to meet existing and future needs in Northern California while helping to meet the environmental and other water demands throughout California. We look forward to working with our new partners to make this agreement a success story for all of California.

The Program has broad support from water suppliers and counties throughout Northern California, including more than forty water districts and companies that have executed the Agreement. The Sacramento Valley Agreement was negotiated and signed by parties that have traditionally fought over water before the SWRCB, including Northern California water users, the federal Bureau of Reclamation; the state Department of Water Resources; the State Water Contractors representing agricultural and municipal water users in Southern California, the Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley; and Contra-Costa Water District.

By protecting our water rights and meeting the area of origin water needs in Northern California, this agreement provides an exciting opportunity for local water suppliers to fully manage their water resources,. said David Guy, Executive Director of the Northern California Water Association.