PHOENIX — Arizona has moved to join Nevada’s federal lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Reclamation’s new Colorado River operating plan, arguing the rules impose unlawful and devastating cuts on Lower Basin states.
The federal framework would reduce supplies for Arizona, California and Nevada by roughly 20% through 2028, with deeper cuts possible later, while Upper Basin states face no matching mandatory reductions. Arizona would take the largest near-term hit under the plan.
“Arizona believes the federal government’s new operating framework ignores basic elements of the law of the river and could result in cuts to the state apportionment that would devastate Arizona’s economy,” Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said, according to KJZZ.
Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state is “drawing a line in the sand” because Washington refuses to hold the Upper Basin accountable for deliveries owed downstream. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo welcomed Arizona’s partnership.
The suit focuses on whether Reclamation adequately assessed economic and environmental harm under federal procedural law. Mandatory cuts are slated to begin Jan. 1, 2027. Arizona is still negotiating a Lower Basin deal with California and Nevada to share the burden and has boosted its Colorado River litigation fund.
Sources: KJZZ, ABC15. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Tuxyso / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
