By The Associated Press
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 10-year plan spares four other states from facing mandatory cuts for now. It’s meant to be flexible, allowing deeper cuts in drier times while giving the states more time to collectively agree on how to manage the dwindling resource that flows through dams to produce hydropower.
The Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada could together be forced to reduce their use by up to 3 million acre-feet (130 billion cubic feet) annually through 2036 — about the amount that Arizona and Nevada receive and enough to serve more than 25 million people a year. The actual reductions would be determined every two years based on conditions throughout the basin.
“The Department has a responsibility to ensure the Colorado River system remains reliable and resilient for the millions of Americans, communities and industries that depend on it,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
Under the proposal, California, Nevada and Arizona would divide half the cuts based on a plan they already developed. Beyond that, priority water rights come into play. The priority system generally benefits California users over those in the other states.
Arizona and Nevada have faced mandatory reductions before, but the proposal outlines deeper cuts that could impact agriculture, cities and tribes. It could translate into higher water prices, more reliance on groundwater and leaving fields unplanted, experts say.
Riley Snow, Rose Law Group partner & director of the firm’s water law department, tells RLGR:
“While this federal proposal is inequitable and disappointing, it is not unexpected. Arizona is well-positioned because sustainable, long-term water planning has guided the state for decades.
Even if these potential reductions take effect, Arizona will continue to prosper. Implementing the proposed Lower Basin States Agreement would significantly ease the situation, which is why we are working to ensure it moves forward. Ultimately, lasting certainty for the Colorado River will require all seven basin states to accept their fair share of the reductions.”