Seven states and several tribes depending on the Colorado River face a 2026 deadline for management.
The Bureau of Reclamation recently released “necessary steps” for the management of Colorado River water by the seven Western states and many tribes that depend on the waterway. The entities face a deadline of August 2026 to come to an updated agreement.
Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton offered four action proposals and a “no action” alternative as formal environmental assessments are yet to come. One option focuses on infrastructure, including dams, while another addresses delivery and storage. A third would conserve by cooperative conservation, while the fourth is a hybrid proposal.
The “no action” was included because the National Environmental Policy Act requires its inclusion.
Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado called the situation serious, stating, “The only path forward is a collaborative, seven-state plan to solve the Colorado River crisis without taking this to court.” He added, “Otherwise, we’ll watch the river run dry while we sue each other.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For federal, state, and local officials as they seek conservation agreements between the entities dependent on the Colorado River Basin.
- For Commissioner Touton as she oversees the Bureau of Reclamation in the final weeks of the current term.
Sources: VOA News, The Hill
