New Colorado River Plan Could Spell Water Cutbacks for Arizona, California, and Nevada

A federal plan to manage the drying-up Colorado River could have major impacts for communities across Arizona, California, and Nevada.The Bureau of Reclamation released a new proposed 10-year framework governing water usage from the Colorado River—a plan that could mandate reductions in water use from the "lower basin" states. But it doesn't require cuts from the four "upper basin" states, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.The government is preparing more plans that require water use reductions of up to 20% from the lower basin states, The Washington Post reported. Longer-term, that could grow to 40%.Such a plan for cutbacks could have major implications for the communities in those areas, especially Arizona, which would bear a large share of cuts. And it comes at a time when cities and their housing markets are booming.“The Department has a responsibility to ensure the Colorado River system remains reliable and resilient for the millions of Americans, communities and industries that depend on it," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "This framework provides the flexibility to respond to changing hydrologic conditions while preserving the opportunity for the Basin Sta...