The Central Arizona Project’s board authorized its legal counsel to take legal action “if necessary” against a federal plan to cut Arizona’s share of Colorado River water dramatically in coming years. Board members went into a closed executive session before the Sept. 3 vote to discuss certain “occurrences” that could trigger a lawsuit or other legal filing, and did not specify them when voting unanimously for the authorization. Board member Alexandra Arboleda introduced the motion at the meeting and prefaced it with a statement that the United States Department of the Interior’s 10-year framework for dealing with water shortage “contemplates operations that are contrary to law and devastating to the water users of the Central Arizona Project.”

Other Colorado River management news:

• Arizona’s Family (Phoenix): CAP board opens door to legal action over Colorado River water cuts​
• Aspen Journalism (Colo.): Gunnison River anglers question feds’ plan to reduce Blue Mesa releases
• Big Pivots: Blog: A first in the 110-plus-year history of this canal