southwest
Newsletter
Colorado River Indian Tribes gain control of their water rights
The Colorado River Indian Tribes have secured an agreement that allows them to manage their water allocation beyond their lands, aiming to address regional drought issues.
In short:
- The agreement enables the tribes to lease, exchange, or store Colorado River water, marking a shift from previous federal limitations.
- The tribe plans to use the revenue from water management to improve infrastructure and support agricultural projects.
- Leaders of the tribe and state officials celebrated the new pact as a significant advancement for tribal sovereignty and regional water stability.
Key quote:
"The agreement will enable CRIT to continue leading with collaborative strategies in support of the resilience of the Colorado River."
— Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior
Why this matters:
This agreement strengthens the tribe's control over their resources and plays an important role in sustainable water management across the Southwest. This could lead to more judicious and perhaps more environmentally conscious water management. Tribes like the CRIT have a deep-rooted cultural connection to their land and natural resources, often embracing stewardship that prioritizes ecological balance. Their involvement in water management could introduce or amplify practices focused on conservation and sustainable use, vital in a region repeatedly stressed by drought and overuse.
Related: In 2023, The federal government decided that while the Navajo Nation does have water rights, established by Winters Doctrine, it will not help the Nation assert those rights.
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Top Story
States present divergent plans for Colorado River water rationing
Officials from states sharing the Colorado River have submitted differing proposals to the federal government on managing severe reductions in the river’s flow due to climate change, with disagreements on equitable distribution of these cutbacks.
In short:
- Seven states sharing the Colorado River have submitted conflicting proposals to the federal government to manage severe water cutbacks amidst ongoing drought and climate concerns.
- The Upper Basin states suggest that the Lower Basin should bear more burden for reductions, while the Lower Basin calls for equitable distribution of cuts among all states.
- Interior Department and Bureau of Reclamation to deliberate on the proposals with an objective to draft a consensus plan by the year's end, as current agreements expire in 2026.
Key quote:
"If we want to protect the system and ensure certainty for the 40 million people who rely on this water source, then we need to address the existing imbalance between supply and demand.”
— Becky Mitchell, Colorado’s Colorado River commissioner
Why this matters:
The outcome of these negotiations is important not just for environmental stewardship, but for health outcomes as well. Millions rely on this water for daily life, and equitable access to clean water is a determinant of public health, echoing a significant national issue of resource sustainability.
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Newsletter
Aridity could dry up Southwestern mine proposals
Critical minerals for the clean energy transition are abundant in the Southwest, but the dozens of mines proposed to access them will require vast sums of water, something in short supply in the desert.
Tom Zoellner: Don’t flee the American Southwest just yet
The era of shrinking water resources and rising temperatures will undoubtedly test Southwestern states, but it’s a question of how we adapt, not whether we survive.
When will the Southwest become unlivable?
Air-conditioning and swimming pools are sustaining my community. I worry about the day when they won’t be enough.
Millions in US under warnings as record heat expected to continue next week
More than 100 million people, around a third of Americans, were under extreme heat advisories this weekend, with officials warning conditions could get worse in Arizona, California and Nevada and that record-breaking heat was expected to continue into the new week.
Newsletter
Dust storms are on the rise in the Southwest. That could harm health
Dust storms are on the rise in the Southwest. That could harm health. Exposure to dust storms can cause eye irritation and in some cases, severe respiratory distress.
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