Arizona, California and Nevada agree to reduce Colorado River water use by 13 percent over three years.
Seven states have reached a “historical consensus” on preserving water from the Colorado River in the western United States, a breakthrough in a region where persistent drought has made water allocation a matter of debate.
In a statement Monday, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) said the three states that make up the Colorado River basin — Arizona, California and Nevada — had agreed to voluntary measures to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water, or 3.7 billion cubic meters, until 2026. That equates to approximately 13 percent less water consumption in three years.
“There are 40 million people, seven states and 30 tribal nations that depend on the Colorado River Basin for basic services such as drinking water and electricity,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a press release Monday.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to working with states, tribes and communities across the West to find consensus solutions in the face of climate change and ongoing drought.”
As climate change exacerbates drought in the western U.S., water flow along the Colorado River has declined by about 20 percent since the 1900s.
Faced with the prospect of the river’s collapse, states dependent on the river have debated how to reduce their use and which areas should accept the greatest reductions.
Questions have also been raised about the role of indigenous communities, who have historically been excluded from conversations about the river and water use.
The federal government has attempted to mediate between several states, and the DOI press release does not detail the breakdown of the cuts.
The river’s upper basin includes the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, with California, Arizona, and Nevada in the lower basin.
Today’s historic announcement is a testament to the President’s Investing in America agenda and our commitment to working with states, tribes and communities across the West to find consensus solutions in the face of climate change and ongoing drought. https://t.co/ynJX680fAw
— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) May 22, 2023
Monday’s deal was reached when all seven states agreed to a proposal that would temporarily prevent the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from imposing mandatory budget cuts on lower-ranking states.
In a statement on Monday, President Joe Biden linked the deal, which he called a “significant step forward,” to greater efforts his administration has made to fight climate change and improve infrastructure. Colorado River’s Long-Term Sustainability”.
In exchange for the 3 million acre-foot (3.7 billion cubic meters) reduction in water use, California, Arizona and Nevada will $1.2 billion in federal compensation, under the terms of the deal.
JB Hamby, president of the Colorado River Board of California, said in a statement that California alone would account for about 1.6 million acre-feet (2 billion cubic meters) of cuts.
In recent years, the region’s water reservoirs have reached an all-time low amid a decades-long drought. CClimate change, growing demand and overuse have fueled the plummeting water levels.
While a particularly rainy winter season has temporarily eased drought concerns in California, access to water is expected to be an ongoing challenge for the western US in the coming years.