Central Arizona Project seeks to join Colorado River lawsuit

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 00:03 · Archive

Arizona's Central Arizona Project is seeking to join a federal lawsuit challenging proposed cuts to its Colorado River water allocation.

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) has requested to join a federal lawsuit against the Department of the Interior over proposed Colorado River cuts, which CAP contends are illegal. CAP General Manager Brenda Burman said the organisation must have representation at negotiations to defend its 'unique interests'.

Under the Department of the Interior's conservation plan released during summer, Arizona faces a 30% cut to its overall Colorado River water allocation. CAP, which delivers water to Phoenix and Tucson, will take a 50% cut. Nevada and California also face cuts under the plan, but Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are not required to reduce their allocations.

The lawsuit, filed by Nevada and later joined by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and the state's Department of Water Resources, calls on the federal government to require Upper Basin states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—to send their promised water to Lake Mead. This would prevent Lower Basin states from absorbing cuts of up to 3 million acre-feet annually. Burman argued that the federal government is disregarding the Colorado River Compact, a 1922 agreement dividing water among seven Southwestern states, and other federal laws. She stated that while CAP and its water users have 'stepped up every time the Colorado River needed us', the river's diminishing supply cannot be addressed by Lower Basin states alone.

How it is being reported

• CAP seeks to join lawsuit against feds over Colorado River cutsArizona’s fight over the Colorado River is escalating as the Central Arizona Project seeks a place in federal court, challenging the proposed Colorado River cuts.KOLD · 27 Oct, 23:20
• CAP seeks to join lawsuit against feds over Colorado River cutsArizona’s fight over the Colorado River is escalating as the Central Arizona Project seeks a place in federal court, challenging the proposed Colorado River cuts.Azfamily · 27 Oct, 23:20

In this story: Central Arizona Project · Department of the Interior · Arizona · Colorado River · Brenda Burman · Katie Hobbs · Lake Mead

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