The Central Arizona Water Conservation District, which operates the Central Arizona Project delivering Colorado River water to Phoenix and Tucson, filed a motion Tuesday to join Nevada's lawsuit against the federal government's river operating plan. The district argues it must intervene separately from the state of Arizona to protect its water rights, which hold fourth priority in Arizona and could face significant cuts if shortages are allocated.
The Bureau of Reclamation's plan could require Arizona and Nevada to absorb annual shortages of up to 77% and 71% of their allocations respectively over the next decade if conditions worsen, while Upper Basin states face no mandatory conservation. Nevada filed the lawsuit in August seeking to throw out the plan entirely, but the water district warns that a broad injunction could disrupt its water deliveries to subcontractors and tribal contractors.
Arizona filed its own motion to intervene last week, with Gov. Katie Hobbs calling the proposed cuts "draconian" and saying the state "will not accept a forced federal plan that solves this crisis on the backs of our families, farmers, and businesses." Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo welcomed Arizona's participation, calling it "an important step in challenging a federal plan that unfairly burdens the Lower Basin."
Under the federal plan finalized in August, Arizona would reduce use by 760,000 acre-feet, California by 440,000 acre-feet, and Nevada by 50,000 acre-feet in both 2027 and 2028. If conditions deteriorate, Nevada's 300,000 acre-foot entitlement could be cut by more than 213,000 acre-feet. The Central Arizona Project's 336-mile canal system serves 80% of Arizona's population.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada Current
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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