After the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for Post-2026 Colorado River Operations, Governor Katie Hobbs issued the following statement: “Today, the federal government released a broad range of alternatives for how the Colorado River will be managed over the next ten years. Within that range is the opportunity for the federal government to adopt the commonsense, compromise proposal put forward by Lower Basin States for 2027 and 2028. Our proposal is one of the largest conservation programs in Colorado River history and builds on Arizona’s decades-long commitment to responsible water stewardship. While this FEIS still contains unacceptable options that include the federal government forcing Arizona to take the majority of draconian water cutbacks, implementing the Lower Basin agreement would protect Arizona from massive water cuts.”

Other Colorado River statements and news releases:

• Department of the Interior: Reclamation publishes final environmental impact statement for future Colorado River operations
• Arizona Department of Water Resources: ADWR statement on Reclamation’s final environmental impact statement for future Colorado River operations
• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Metropolitan issues statement on release of final EIS for Colorado River operations
• City of Phoenix: Phoenix prepared as federal framework outlines potential cuts to Arizona’s Colorado River supply
• Nev. Gov. Joe Lombardo: Governor Joe Lombardo releases statement on Colorado River Final Environmental Impact Statement