For more than a century, Western states have fought to keep the federal government out of their business when it comes to water. Now, the Trump administration is about to seize control of the Colorado River, the region’s most important waterway. But it’s not the narrative you might think. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum — himself a former Western governor — has said repeatedly that he preferred to have the states work out the shrinking river’s problems. Far from a brash commandeering of the system, the plan his department is set to finalize as soon as Monday is effectively a kick-the-can exercise for managing the drought-riddled river that supplies water for 1 in 10 Americans. … The river plan, which is set to be unveiled in the form of a final environmental impact statement, is less of an actual plan than it is a framework for future decisions, according to public statements by Interior officials and the states. It is expected to cover a 10-year period in which the federal government would issue short-term operating regimes every other year, potentially with the sign-off of the states.

Other Colorado River management news:

• KLAS (Las Vegas): Basin states set to sign new 2-year Colorado River agreement, SNWA says
• KSNV (Las Vegas): Southern Nevada Water Authority reappoints Steve Walton to Colorado River Commission
• Colorado Public Radio: As reservoirs dry up, state takes steps towards saving Colorado River water
• KJZZ (Phoenix): The Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs are in ‘uncharted territory’ after new record low
• The Hill: Lake Powell could plunge near lows that threaten power production next year: Federal study
• KSL (Salt Lake City): Combined acre-feet of Lake Powell, Lake Mead at record low. Here’s what that means for the Colorado River Basin
• Colorado Newsline: Opinion: Is the Colorado River in a climate doom loop?
• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Opinion: Let’s prepare for lower Colorado River deliveries