By Reagan Priest | Yellow Sheet
Water experts say not all hope is lost for a better deal on the Colorado River, despite discouraging news from the federal government last week.
The Bureau of Reclamation released its final draft environmental impact statement (FEIS) on the Colorado River on Friday, outlining a “framework” for river operations that includes both the Lower Basin proposal and a potential 77% cut to Arizona’s allocation. Riley Snow, partner and head of the water law department at Rose Law Group, summed up the FEIS as “disappointing” but not surprising.
“They just did exactly what they said they were going to do, which we already told them is a terrible idea,” Snow said.
But, with the Lower Basin proposal still on the table, Arizona leaders are fighting to ensure the federal government moves in that direction first. It would cut Arizona’s allocation by 31% over two years.
If the federal government implements that proposal through 2028, it could lower the likelihood of litigation, a specter that has hovered over Colorado River discussions for the last few years.
“I felt like litigation was more likely until this Lower Basin states agreement got proposed, and I feel like it’s cooled the temperature quite a bit on the litigation front,” Snow said. “I think that’s why Arizona’s pushing for it.”
