Colorado River
Opinion: Our tribe can provide an immediate drought supply while Arizona explores larger augmentation projects. But we can’t make our water available without Congress’ help.
By Amelia Flores/opinion contributor
Decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures are changing the availability of water and increasing challenges throughout the Southwest – especially here in Arizona.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) are uniquely situated to help.
Let me introduce the CRIT. We have the first-priority decreed water right in the Lower Colorado River, and we farm approximately 80,000 acres on the Arizona side of our reservation. The river runs through our reservation, dividing our lands in California and Arizona.
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema recently introduced S. 3308, the CRIT Water Resiliency Act. This legislation will permit us to lease, exchange and store some of our Colorado River water for use off the reservationR
We are one of the few entities with the water resources that can provide a drought supply while the state explores bigger projects such as desalination, water reuse and imported water. But we cannot make our water available off the reservation unless Congress authorizes it.
Other tribes can lease water. CRIT should, too.
Decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures are changing the availability of water and increasing challenges throughout the Southwest – especially here in Arizona.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) are uniquely situated to help.
Let me introduce the CRIT. We have the first-priority decreed water right in the Lower Colorado River, and we farm approximately 80,000 acres on the Arizona side of our reservation. The river runs through our reservation, dividing our lands in California and Arizona.
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema recently introduced S. 3308, the CRIT Water Resiliency Act. This legislation will permit us to lease, exchange and store some of our Colorado River water for use off the reservationR
We are one of the few entities with the water resources that can provide a drought supply while the state explores bigger projects such as desalination, water reuse and imported water. But we cannot make our water available off the reservation unless Congress authorizes it.
Other tribes can lease water. CRIT should, too.
