The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is considering adopting a proposal by Arizona, California, and Nevada to reduce water use on the drought-stricken Colorado River, according to Arizona’s chief negotiator. This move could spare the states steep federal cuts.

Background

A 20-year-old plan is expiring this year, and talks among seven states that share the river are at an impasse. The three Lower Basin states presented the bureau with a short-term proposal to deal with severe water shortages on May 1.

Without a deal among the seven states, the bureau will impose its own preferred plan by early August. The Lower Basin states proposed water savings of at least 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028 to maintain critical Colorado River reservoir levels.

A bureau spokesperson said the agency received input from Upper Basin states on the Lower Basin proposal and made several adjustments to it. The spokesperson added that the agency remains committed to a continued dialog with states and tribal nations.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.