Nevada Sues Interior Over 70% Colorado River Cut as Upper Basin States Face No Mandate
Updated
Updated · KJZZ · Aug 24
Nevada Sues Interior Over 70% Colorado River Cut as Upper Basin States Face No Mandate
3 articles · Updated · KJZZ · Aug 24
Summary
Nevada filed suit Monday to block the Interior Department’s new Colorado River operating plan, saying it could strip more than 70% of the state’s river allocation.
The complaint argues the plan unfairly concentrates mandatory cuts on Arizona, California and Nevada while Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming face no required reductions.
Nevada also says Interior violated procedural requirements by failing to fully assess the plan’s economic and community impacts on a state where the affected region holds about two-thirds of residents.
Arizona, a Lower Basin ally that has set aside $9 million for possible Colorado River litigation, said it was still evaluating the case after learning of it early Monday.
The lawsuit jolts years of seven-state negotiations over shrinking river supplies and could prolong uncertainty as officials race to prevent further stress on record-low reservoirs.