Seven States Reach Deal to Conserve Water in Colorado River Basin
AllSides Summary
Seven states that rely on the imperiled Colorado River Basin for drinking water, energy, agriculture, and more agreed to a conservation deal through 2026.
Key Quotes: In a statement released Monday, Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland called the deal “a testament to the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to working with states, Tribes and communities throughout the West to find consensus solutions in the face of climate change and sustained drought.” Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said the deal is an “important step forward toward our shared goal of forging a sustainable path for the basin that millions of people call home.”
Details: The basin provides drinking water for 44 million Americans and irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland. Population growth and drought resulted in the river basin lowering to levels that concerned federal officials and conservationists. Under the terms of the deal, Arizona, California and Nevada agree to take less water from the basin, but the specifics of each states’ cuts will be determined later. In exchange for temporary cuts, the agreement calls on the federal government to pay $1.2 billion to regions, cities, and Native American tribes included in the cuts. This money will reportedly come from grants included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the announcement of the deal. Left-rated outlets drew more connections between the river basin drought and climate change, while right-rated outlets typically only mentioned climate change in quotes included in coverage.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
A Breakthrough Deal to Keep the Colorado River From Going Dry, for Now
Arizona, California and Nevada have agreed to take less water from the drought-strained Colorado River, a breakthrough agreement that, for now, keeps the river from falling so low that it would jeopardize water supplies for major Western cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles as well as for some of America’s most productive farmland.
The agreement, announced Monday, calls for the federal government to pay about $1.2 billion to irrigation districts, cities and Native American tribes in the three states if they temporarily use less water. The states have also agreed...
From the Center
Seven states reach 'historic' Colorado River water conservation deal
Seven U.S. states that depend on the overused Colorado River on Monday reached agreement to cut consumption from a river that provides drinking water for 40 million people and irrigation for some of the country's most bountiful farmland.
In the agreement with the Biden administration, announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Arizona, California and Nevada will take 3 million acre-feet (3.7 billion cubic meters) less from the river through the end of 2026, an amount equal to 13% their allotment.
Those three make up the Lower Basin states...
From the Right
States finalize historic Colorado River conservation deal with administration
The Biden administration reached consensus Monday on a historic Colorado River Basin conservation deal after securing agreement from California, Arizona, and Nevada.
The agreement with the three states, which together make up the river's Lower Basin, is slated to last through the end of 2026, the Interior Department said in a statement on Monday. It will also conserve at least 3 million acre-feet of water.
“There are 40 million people, seven states, and 30 Tribal Nations who rely on the Colorado River Basin for basic services such as drinking water...
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