By Staff Reporter |

The federal government expects Arizona to do more to conserve its water in the ongoing Colorado River supply crisis while other basin states face far lower restrictions.

Arizona’s elected leaders responded that the state has done more than its fair share to conserve water throughout this historic multi-decade drought, and that they would not accept this federal directive. They indicated that they may challenge the directive in court. 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement on Colorado River operations, released by the Bureau of Reclamation on Friday, would require Arizonans to cut water usage by up to 77% in 2027 and 2028. 

Arizona, California, and Nevada had proposed water usage reductions that would have reduced Arizona’s supply by about 31%, but the federal government rejected that proposal. 

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) said the federal decision would “devastate” Arizonans and the state’s economy. ADWR criticized the federal framework for not including reductions to the Upper Basin or sufficient use of water in those upper reservoirs.

The Colorado River Basin provides drinking water and power for more than 40 million people, and irrigation water for more than five million acres of agricultural land. A 26-year drought has reduced the basin to historically low runoff and reservoir levels. 

Arizona, California, and Nevada rely on water from the Lower Basin, while Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico rely on the Upper Basin. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs expressed hope that the Department of the Interior (DOI) would still accept the Lower Basin alternative plan, but acknowledged the federal restrictions contained “unacceptable options” that included having Arizona take on the majority of water cutbacks, which Hobbs called “draconian.” 

As Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Republican nominee for governor, mentioned in his appeal to Congress for Colorado River emergency funding, Hobbs cited Arizona’s unique position as a power player in the agricultural and defense industries.  

“Arizona provides the agricultural produce, critical minerals, weapons defense systems and cutting-edge semiconductors that feed America, protect America and fuel America’s high-tech economy. No other state in the Colorado River basin can say the same,” said Hobbs. 

The DOI has been unsuccessful in its attempts the past six years to reach consensus with Arizona and the six other basin states concerning long-term operational guidelines. The lack of consensus didn’t stop the federal release of the environmental impact statement, since current operational guidelines expire this year and the government must begin new operations on October 1 of this year.

Danny Seiden, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, condemned the DOI decision as placing a “deeply disproportionate burden on Arizona” while failing to provide a cohesive conservation solution for all basin states. Seiden said they would stand alongside state leaders to demand a fairer decision. 

“[A] plan that imposes severe, enforceable reductions on Arizona while shielding senior users and allowing other states to avoid comparable mandatory commitments is neither fair nor sustainable,” said Seiden. “Arizona will do its part, as it always has, but we will not accept being treated as the system’s default shock absorber. Any sustainable path forward must recognize Arizona’s conservation record, protect the investments our state has already made, and require measurable contributions from the entire Colorado River Basin.”

Rep. Teresa Martinez, an LD16 Republican whose constituents also hail from Pinal and Pima counties, questioned who in Arizona would be expected to cut water usage, and who would be given the better end of the deal. 

Martinez said the federal government is forcing communities and farmers to bail out those beginning to feel the effects of the water crisis.

“Pinal County farmers already lost their Colorado River water. That happened years ago. They took the hit without a bailout, without fanfare, and without much sympathy from anybody,” said Martinez. “Rural Arizona cannot keep being treated like the first place to cut and the last place anyone thinks about.”

Martinez said she plans to speak with LD16 community leaders, especially those within the agriculture industry, to gauge the anticipated impact of this latest decision.

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