Arizona and Nevada Sue Interior Department Over Water Cuts

Arizona has joined Nevada in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior to challenge proposed federal cuts to Colorado River water deliveries. The legal action follows a summer announcement by the interior department that would reduce water supplies to lower basin states—Arizona, California, and Nevada—while exempting upper basin states including Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona, authorized the intervention, arguing that the federal government is failing to hold the Upper Basin accountable for required deliveries to Lake Mead. State officials claim the current federal approach could result in cuts of up to 3 million acre-feet per year. Hobbs stated that Arizona will not accept a plan that solves the crisis on the backs of families, farmers, and businesses.

Arizona seeks to protect its legal rights while simultaneously collaborating with California and Nevada on a separate voluntary conservation pact. This pact aims to stabilize the river system and prevent a potential 77 percent reduction in the Central Arizona Project's allocation.