The U.S. Department of Interior’s water reduction plan for the Colorado River has received bipartisan opposition from leaders in the Lower Basin states, including Arizona and Nevada. The plan, outlined in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, could lead to significant water cuts in these states.

Upper Basin States Support the Plan

In contrast, the Upper Basin states, including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming, have widely backed the move. The governors of these states released a joint statement expressing their support for the plan, citing the need for a short-term solution to manage the river’s water supply.

The Colorado River provides water for an estimated 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of agriculture across seven states, 30 tribes, and the U.S. and Mexico. The current framework for water management on the river is set to end in December, and the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Interior are working to establish a new plan.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, expressed his opposition to the plan, stating that it seeks to impose unrealistic reductions on Nevada and its water users. Similarly, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, expressed her lack of enthusiasm for the plan, citing concerns over the potential water cuts and their impact on the state’s communities.

The Lower Basin states have proposed an alternative plan, which would reduce water usage by 1.25 million acre-feet in 2027 and 2028. The federal government has emphasized that the cuts proposed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement are not guaranteed and will depend on the Operating Guidelines, which will determine the level of shortages for each year.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.