DWP CLOSE TO ENDING 25-YEAR WATER FIGHT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

After 25 years of legal wrangling, Los Angeles city officials announced Friday they have reached a tentative settlement with Inyo County regarding the amount of water the city can take from the eastern High Sierra and the Owens Valley.

Jerry Gewe, director of water operations for the city Department of Water and Power, said settlement of a lawsuit filed in 1972, when Sam Yorty was mayor, will not affect water rates.

``Basically, we've had something like this going on in any case,'' Gewe said. ``What the agreement says is that, during wet years, we can draw off from the snowpack, but will be limited to what we can pull from groundwater pumps in dry years.''

At one point the city relied on the Owens Valley for 70 percent of the water supply. That will drop to about 55 percent, Gewe said.

The difference will be made up through purchases from the Metropolitan Water District.

Under the terms of the proposal, to be submitted to the California 3rd District Court of Appeal on Jan. 24, the DWP will draw less water from the area in dry years and make various environmental improvements.

``We are pleased the DWP has committed to a policy of showing sensitivity to the environment and endangered species in its operations,'' Councilwoman Ruth Galanter said. ``This agreement is another demonstration that the new DWP respects the environment and endangered species.''

Officials with Inyo County and other parties to the lawsuit over the DWP's use of Owens Valley water did not return telephone calls.

In the suit, Inyo officials said the city needed an environmental study on aqueduct operations.

Two environmental reviews were prepared and rejected. Officials from the two sides have been meeting for more than a year on developing an agreement.

Among other things, the potential agreement requires the city to complete new environmental habitat enhancement projects and develop land-management plans to protect sensitive plant and animal wildlife.