The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its first stage (1992-1994) Integrated Environmental Plan for the Mexican-U.S. Border Area (see Publications, March AWR). Motivated by Congressional consideration of the North American Free Trade Act, the plan addresses potential environmental consequences of increased trade along the border.

The second Symposium on Settlement Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims was held in Albuquerque, NM on September 1-3 , 1992. Sponsored by the Native American Rights Fund and Western States Water Council, the symposium drew some 250 people from across the country. The symposium focused on negotiating Indian water rights settlements, and included discussions of alternative dispute resolution techniques, marketing, and jurisdiction over water use.

After five years of debt negotiations between officials of New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NMIDD filed for municipal bankruptcy in Federal District Court in mid-January.

Certain U.S. Bureau of Reclamation properties may be up for sale. The agency recently issued a document, "Framework for the Transfer of Title," outlining the process of transferring title of certain of its projects to interested beneficiaries and non-federal governmental entities.

Proclaiming that "we don't just want Arizona's water, we want its ideas (on water management) as well," Nevada state senator Mark James convened an April 20 legislative hearing on use, allocation and management of water. The legislative committee, consisting of three senators and three assemblymen, heard testimony from the U S Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec), Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Colorado River Commission, the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) and others. The committee is statutorily charged with developing legislative proposals for changing Nevada water law.

The Arizona legislature has created a Water Protection Fund administered by a 15-member Commission. Appointments to the Commission are made by the Governor, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House, with certain numbers allocated for various categories. Ex-officio, non-voting members are Rita Pearson, ADWR, Jean Hassell, State Land Commission, and the chairs of House and Senate natural resource committees.

Owners of water rights to Cibola Valley Irrigation and Drainage District (CVIDD) in southwestern Arizona seek approval to sell or lease about 24,000 acre-feet of federal contract Colorado River water to out-of-state buyers. This proposed transaction represents a challenge to the state of Arizona and its efforts to control interstate water transfers. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) thus far has blocked any proposed interstate sales or leases.

The little southwestern willow flycatcher is an emerging player in the ongoing effort to protect Arizona riparian areas. Recently listed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife as an endangered species, the flycatcher is considered an indicator species for southwestern riparian habitat conditions.

Researchers and water quality regulators are paying increased attention to cryptosporidium, a potentially deadly parasite commonly occurring in untreated surface water. Cryptosporidium, nicknamed "crypto," recently attracted attention in Arizona when the parasite was found in Phoenix's and Mesa's treated drinking water supplies.

The City of Tucson has narrowed its options for using its Central Arizona Project water allocation to four: direct treatment and delivery through the existing treatment plant after replacing deteriorating mains; augmenting treatment with a filtration stage to remove salts; blending CAP water with equal amounts of groundwater; and recharging CAP water using spreading basins, streambeds, and/or injection wells.