Arizona, California and Nevada on Monday proposed a plan to significantly reduce their water use from the drought-stricken Colorado River over the next three years.
The plan would conserve an additional 3 million acre-feet of water from the 1,450-mile river that provides water to 40 million people in seven U.S. states, parts of Mexico and more than two dozen Native American tribes.
At least half that amount — or 1.5 million acre-feet of water — would have to be conserved by 2024, the plan said. In exchange for temporarily using less water, cities, irrigation districts and Native American tribes in the three states will receive federal funding, though officials did not say how much funding individual users in the states would get. Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | May 22, 8am Specifics of the deal announced Monday were sparse, including exactly how the cuts would be spread out. JB Hamby, chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, said in a statement his state would be responsible for 1.6 million acre-feet in cuts. No details were immediately provided on how Arizona and Nevada would split the rest. The Colorado River has been in crisis thanks to a multidecade drought in the West intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse. Those pressures have sent water levels at key reservoirs along the river to unprecedented lows, though they have rebounded somewhat thanks to heavy precipitation and deep snowpack this winter.Task force aims to provide lawmakers with solutions to protect Colorado River Colette Bordelon 6:41 AM, May 15, 2023 In recent years, the river's woes have forced the federal government to cut some water allocations, and to offer up billions of dollars to pay farmers and cities to pay farmers, cities and others to cut back. In April, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released a plan that considered two ways to force cuts in the Colorado River supply for Arizona, Nevada and California, which make up the river's Lower Basin.What might cuts to dwindling Colorado River mean for states? The Associated Press 4:13 PM, Apr 14, 2023 One contemplated using an decades-old water priority system to reduce usage that would have benefitted California and some Native American tribes with senior water rights. The other would have been a percentage cut across the board to spare Arizona and Nevada – states with lower-priority rights – some pain. The Interior Department on Monday said it would pull back that proposal so that it could analyze the broader plan submitted by Western states and reissue it later this year.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arizona lands ex-Colorado receiver Montana Lemonious-CraigArizona's latest addition via the transfer portal bolsters an offense that finished sixth in passing yards last season.
Read more »
AZ, CA, NV governors announce 3-year plan to conserve Colorado River waterNEW THIS MORNING: The governors of Arizona, California and Nevada have announced a three-year plan to conserve three million acre-feet of water.
Read more »
Arizona, California and Nevada propose water cuts from Colorado River to avert forced cutsArizona, California and Nevada on Monday proposed a deal to significantly cut their water use from the drought-stricken Colorado River over the next three years
Read more »
Arizona, 2 other states propose water cuts from Colorado RiverThe plan would conserve an additional 3 million acre-feet of water from the 1,450-mile river that provides water to 40 million people in seven U.S. states, parts of Mexico and more than two dozen Native American tribes.
Read more »
California, Arizona and Nevada reach landmark deal on water cuts to stave off a crisis on the Colorado RiverThe deal between the 3 states agrees to cut at least 3 million acre-feet of water through 2026 – around 10% of the states’ Colorado River allocation – water that would otherwise be used to irrigate…
Read more »
Arizona, California and Nevada to cut water usage from drought-hit Colorado RiverA new plan will conserve at least 3 million acre feet of water by 2026 in an effort to ensure the crucial waterway continues to generate power and provide drinking water.
Read more »