Federal water officials released a set of for managing the shrinking Colorado River in the future. They urged state negotiators to agree on a single plan, since the states are about how to share the pain of cutbacks during dry times.
鈥淲e can either remain stuck at an impasse, or secure a future for future generations that promises the stability and sustainability of one of our greatest natural resources,鈥� said Ali Zaidi, White House climate advisor.
The current rules for sharing Colorado River water expire in 2026, and the seven states that use it are on the hook to come up with a replacement before then. They鈥檙e split into two camps, and a separate proposal to the federal government in March. State negotiators say they want a collaborative solution, but they don鈥檛 appear any closer to agreement than they did in March and have publicly dug in their heels about their .
In a call with reporters on November 20, multiple federal officials encouraged states to pick up the pace in those negotiations.
鈥淭o get to the other side here,鈥� Zaidi said, 鈥渢here鈥檚 going to be a requirement, an imperative on all of us, to find the common ground to move the process forward with urgency.鈥�
Although federal agencies operate the dams and reservoirs that hold Colorado River water, they have historically implemented management plans drawn up by states.
But, in an apparent attempt to nudge the states towards agreement, the Interior Department released four 鈥渁lternatives鈥� 鈥� each a different proposal for managing the river 鈥� and none of them are exactly in line with either of the competing state proposals.
鈥淣ow really is the time for the basin states and tribes to redouble their work toward a consensus alternative,鈥� said Laura Daniel Davis, the acting deputy secretary of the interior. 鈥淭he alternatives we鈥檙e announcing today show that path and I urge them to do so.鈥�
The alternatives released by Interior are relatively light on details, but seem to include input from some of the 30 native tribes which , and environmental groups which for wildlife and their habitats.
Kyle Roerink, director of the nonprofit Great Basin Water Network, said the alternatives don鈥檛 give any serious clues about a final plan for managing the river, but rather attempt to push forward the conversation among the states.
鈥淚t's hard to make a broad and sweeping statement about it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e're waiting for the big picture. We've been thirsting for it for well over a year, but we're dealing with a recipe that only lists a few of the ingredients and we can only make assumptions.鈥�
By releasing alternatives, the Biden administration may be attempting to influence negotiations ahead of its departure from the White House. It鈥檚 unclear exactly how Donald Trump鈥檚 upcoming return to the presidency could shape talks about the Colorado River, but state leaders said they the change to disrupt their process.
This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC in Colorado and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. KUNC is solely responsible for its editorial coverage.
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