Interior Department proposes new Colorado River water-use guidelines amid state disputes
The U.S. Interior Department released a draft management plan that could impose water-use cuts on Colorado River states if they fail to reach a consensus by Oct. 1, prompting strong opposition from Arizona and other Lower Basin states.
The Interior Department on Friday issued a draft environmental impact statement outlining new operating guidelines for the Colorado River basin, to take effect if the seven basin states do not reach a consensus by Oct. 1. The plan would require the Lower Basin states—Arizona, California and Nevada—to cut up to 3 million acre-feet of water through 2036, while the Upper Basin states—Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming—could voluntarily reduce use by about 200,000 acre-feet.
Upper Basin officials welcomed the proposal, saying it reflects the region’s reduced water supplies and offers a short-term framework while negotiations continue. Utah’s Colorado River Authority executive director noted that Upper Basin states have little water left to cut beyond their pre-compact allocations.
Arizona officials condemned the plan as “unacceptable” and warned that the cuts would harm the state’s water users and economy. Governor Katie Hobbs and state legislators argued that the burden should be shared more evenly among all seven states. The Arizona Department of Water Resources said the proposal fails to require comparable reductions from Upper Basin states.
If the states remain deadlocked when the current low-water guidelines expire, the department can issue a Record of Decision and impose the proposed rules without state consent. The guidelines would be reviewed and potentially revised every two years, allowing adjustments based on snowpack and other hydrologic conditions. Both basins acknowledge the need for continued negotiations to reach a durable, multi-state agreement.