Hit hardest by the Bureau of Reclamation’s cuts to Colorado River withdrawals, Arizona submitted an August 30 letter to the federal government outlining water conservation goals achieved since 1980 and aggressive measures that mirror Nevada’s proposals. State officials opine that Arizona is a disproportionate burden of reductions for the benefit of others who have not contributed.
When water is scarce, should private investors and hedge funds have the right to buy up water rights, forcing farmers and others to pay even more per acre-foot? The California legislature and a supervisor in Arizona are asking the feds to look into drought profiteering and other matters.
Facing drought and other challenges, California farms are looking at groundwater recharge to help with water predictability issues.
Fueled by drought conditions, the wildfire season in the Western states has started early. Drought is expected to continue into the “traditional” fire season.
With wildfires blazing in the Southwest, this year’s presidential Earth Day executive order focused heavily on forest management. The Biden Administration has pledged billions in infrastructure funds toward forest and land management activities.
DOI will allocate $1.7 billion of bipartisan infrastructure bill funds and Reclamation Water Settlement funds to enacted Indian water right settlements that have outstanding federal payments necessary to complete their terms.
