Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Releases Preferred Colorado River Management Plan to Address Regional Water Shortages
The administration announced a preferred Colorado River management plan to establish new guidelines for water use across seven states, tribal nations, and Mexico. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum presented the proposal to address the long-term drought and declining water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead. While the Upper Basin states—Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming—welcomed the proposal, the Lower Basin states—Arizona, California, and Nevada—expressed frustration. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs criticized the plan for placing a disproportionate burden on Arizona, arguing that the federal government favored the Upper Basin. The proposal suggests that Lower Basin states could be required to cut up to 3 million acre-feet of water, while the Upper Basin states would voluntarily give up 200,000 acre-feet. The administration announced that the guidelines will be reissued every two years until a permanent agreement is reached. If the states fail to reach a consensus by the October 1 deadline, the federal government will impose the guidelines, potentially leading to litigation from the Lower Basin states.