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States reliant on Colorado River fail to meet the latest deadline to find consensus
The seven Colorado River basin states missed a second federal deadline to agree on water cuts and conservation despite flows into Lake Powell expected at 52% of average, officials said.
- The seven Western states missed a federal deadline for the second time to agree on a post-2026 Colorado River plan, acknowledging Friday they would not meet the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation timeline.
- Existing rules from the 1922 Colorado River Compact, last updated in 2007, expired last year and scientists recently reported one of the driest winters with low snowpack, increasing water cut urgency.
- Negotiators focused in recent weeks on a five-year plan that includes Arizona, California and Nevada offering cuts of 27%, 10% and 17%, while upper-basin states resisted permanent reductions.
- Leaders say they are preparing lawyers and legal strategies as a federal plan, likely to spark litigation and reach the U.S. Supreme Court, risks lives and power supplies.
- Reclamation officials set the deadline to allow time for federal review and an Oct 1 start, and the Trump administration is accepting public comments on alternatives until March 2 while talks continue.
47 Articles
47 Articles
States reliant on Colorado River fail to meet latest deadline to find water use consensus
The seven Western states that depend on the Colorado River missed a deadline for the second time Saturday to agree on a plan addressing record drought and water shortages.
Chicago Tribune
PHOENIX (AP) — The seven western states of the United States that depend on the Colorado River failed on Saturday for the second time to agree on a plan to address record drought and water scarcity. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs; California Governor Gavin Newsom; and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo issued a joint statement urging the states of the upper basin to offer more concessions. Those states are Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Associated Press News
States reliant on Colorado River fail to meet the latest deadline to find consensus
The seven Western states that depend on the Colorado River have missed a deadline for the second time to agree on a plan addressing record drought and water shortages.
Feds to move ahead with Colorado River plans after states don't reach deal
The U.S. Department of the Interior said it would be moving forward with its proposed plans to manage the Colorado River after the seven states failed to reach agreement on a framework of a deal.On Saturday, the agency said it could not delay action."Negotiation efforts have been productive; we have listened to every states perspective and have narrowed the discussion by identifying key elements and issues necessary for an agreement. We believe …
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