California Holds Out on Agreement , to Cut Colorado River Water Use.
'The Guardian' reports that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation previously called on states that rely on water from the Colorado River to come up with ideas to conserve 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water.
The mid-August deadline proposed by the bureau lapsed, but some of those states have since reconvened and reached a consensus. .
'The Guardian' reports that six western states have agreed on a plan to dramatically cut use of Colorado River water.
However, California, which has the largest allocation of Colorado River water, is holding out.
State officials say they'll devise their own plan.
California remains focused on practical solutions that can be implemented now to protect volumes of water in storage without driving conflict and litigation, JB Hamby, chair of the Colorado River Board of California, via statement.
But Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming have decided to work together.
The states wish to raise water levels where reductions
would occur at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, effectively
creating a protective buffer for the reservoirs.
The model would also focus on water accounting
to ensure that water stored in Lake Mead by the
Lower Basin states is available for future use. .
The actions would reportedly result in
2 million acre-feet reductions in the
Lower Basin and smaller cuts in the Upper Basin.
'The Guardian' reports that an acre-foot of water is enough to supply two to three American households each year