Media Advisory

Norton to Address Colorado River Water Users,
Sign Agreement on California Water Supply Solutions

(WASHINGTON) - On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, Interior Secretary Gale Norton will speak to the Colorado River Water Users Association and sign an agreement with Southern California's largest water utility that will help launch water efficiency and conservation projects to help solve some of the region's major water supply problems.

Following her remarks to the Association's annual meeting at Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, Norton will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with representatives of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The MOU will enable Interior agencies and Metropolitan to work more effectively and efficiently to carry out water supply solutions called for in California's 4.4 Plan and the recently signed Colorado River Water Delivery Agreement.
Under these pacts, California has agreed to take specific steps to reduce its overuse of Colorado River water. One of the first major conservation efforts called for under these agreements is lining sections of the All American and Coachella Canals in Southern California and using 16,000 acre-feet of the water conserved by those projects for the benefit of the San Luis Rey Indian Bands of Southern California.

WHO: Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton.

WHAT: Remarks to the Colorado River Water Uses Association Meeting; and
MOU signing with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003; Remarks, 6:30 p.m.; Signing at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Remarks: Caesar's Palace - 4th Floor, Palace II; Las Vegas, Nev.
Signing: Caesar's Palace - 4th Floor, Octavius Room; Las Vegas, Nev.

MEDIA: Credentialed media are welcome to attend both events. A media availability will follow the signing ceremony.