Arizona Moves to Join Lawsuit Over Federal Colorado River Operating Plan

· Climate · United States

The Arizona Department of Water Resources filed a motion to join a lawsuit against the federal government's plan for Colorado River operations over the next decade. Arizona argues that the new federal operating framework ignores basic elements of the law of the river and could result in cuts to the state's water supplies. The dispute concerns how the river's flows are divided among the states and users that depend on it over the ten-year horizon of the plan. Arizona's entry would put a state water agency directly behind the legal challenge to the federal framework.

Why it matters：The Colorado River supplies farms, cities and utilities across the U.S. Southwest, so the legal fight over its operating rules will shape water allocations and planning for years.

Key points

  • The plan covers federal Colorado River operations for the next 10 years.
  • Arizona says the framework ignores basic elements of the law of the river.
  • The state warns the plan could lead to cuts to its water supplies.

Sources (original reporting)

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