By Noah Cullen | Pinal Central
CASA GRANDE — Sharing is hard even — perhaps especially — between siblings: the last chocolate chip cookie, the favorite red shirt or in some cases, an entire room. So how might discussions go among seven states, Native American reservations and Mexico while the federal government plays referee, and the thing being shared is the most precious resource on our planet? Not well.
Pinal water leaders privy to the ongoing discussions to renew previous plans dividing up Colorado River allotments between the Lower Basin States — Arizona, California and Nevada — and the Upper Basin States — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — are not optimistic about meeting the December 2026 deadline. They surmise that the White House might need to get involved.
Both Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller and state Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, say is what they’re looking to as a priority. The previous water-related priority for the county and state, the ag-to-urban program, took effect on Sept. 26 and began taking applications.
