Trump Administration Sets November 11 Deadline for Colorado River Deal

The Trump administration is using an institutional approach to resolve a water crisis along the Colorado River, steering away from the president's typical aggressive tactics. Seven states sharing the river remain deadlocked over required water use cuts. Failure to reach an agreement by next summer could result in a catastrophe that threatens regional electrical grid stability and hydropower production.

Scott Cameron, a budget official from the George W. Bush era, is leading the negotiations. He has established a November 11 deadline for the states to agree on a management plan. While the administration has moved to cancel various climate-related spending measures, it has preserved more than $2 billion in drought funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.

State negotiators have expressed optimism about reaching a tentative deal to prevent unilateral federal action. However, these states continue to prepare for potential litigation should the negotiations fail.