LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Governors from six western states and a representative from California met Friday in Washington, D.C. to discuss Colorado River water allocations as a Feb. 14 deadline approaches for reaching an agreement on water sharing.
Governor Joe Lombardo called on the Secretary of the Interior last month to convene the special meeting of western states’ governors over Colorado River water allocations. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum brought together governors from New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada, along with a representative from California, to discuss the Colorado River Compact.
“I’ve been working on the Colorado River for 25 years, and it’s the first time I’ve seen that many governors in one room,” said John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and negotiator for Nevada.
Water supply decline continues
Entsminger said the Colorado River’s water supply, along with its two major reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, has been in decline for two decades. The decline is expected to continue.
“One river in the western U.S. that supports 40 million people, 30 Native American tribes, and 5 million acres of agriculture. It’s as important as anything our country is dealing with right now,” Entsminger said.
The states failed to reach an agreement on water sharing by a November deadline. The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages water in the West, then set a new Feb. 14 deadline.
States divided on water cuts
Lower basin states Arizona, Nevada and California want all seven states to share mandatory water cuts during dry years. Upper basin states Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, which are not subject to mandatory cuts under current guidelines, argue they already use much less water than downstream states.
Lower basin states, including Nevada, have made significant conservation efforts in recent years, but upper basin states have increased their water usage.
“There have been some compromises, there has been progress, but you don’t have a deal until you have a deal,” Entsminger said.
Lombardo said a seven-state agreement is the preferred path forward over river management options proposed by the federal government.
“I think he convinced some other governors that moving towards the middle is the right solution here. And that we absolutely want to stay out of court,” Entsminger said.
If the states can’t reach an agreement, it will likely lead to litigation and federal management. Entsminger said he thinks Friday’s meeting improved the chances of the states coming to an agreement by the deadline in two weeks.
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