Was California consulted in recent Colorado River negotiations?
States that use water from the Colorado River are caught in a standoff about how to share shrinking supplies, and their statements about recent negotiations send mixed messages. California officials say they were not consulted as other states in the region drew up a letter to the federal government with what they called a “consensus-based” set of recommendations for water conservation. Leaders in states that drafted the letter disagree with that characterization. The reality of what happened during negotiations may lie somewhere in between, as comments from state leaders hint at possible differences between their definitions of what counts as “consultation.” The squabble is a microcosm of larger tensions between states that use water from the Colorado River.
Related article:
- KUNC – Greeley, Colo.: Feds pause some Flaming Gorge water releases amid a snowy winter for the Colorado River
- Arizona Republic: Commentary - SRP is releasing precious stored water. But it’s not going to waste
- AZ Department of Water Resources: Heavy Winter Snowpack Prompting Releases From Salt River Project Reservoirs