The recently announced long-term agreement schedule from the Interior department sets a deadline of 2024 for the completion of a draft environmental impact statement. This means that there will be no need for the federal government to make any contentious decisions in the upcoming year leading up to the election and into 2024.

Is there a solution to reduce dependence on the Colorado River that does not negatively impact one group, whether it be water users or taxpayers?

The basic answer is no. The real question in all of this is the definition of proportionality. The best pathway is to work all of these issues, so that everyone shares the pain in proportion to the amount of water they are using from the river.

The annual conference of the Colorado River Water Users Association is a crucial gathering for the Colorado River Basin. It is significant for both the topics discussed on the agenda and the interactions among participants during meetings. Who are the key individuals to monitor during the upcoming week?

I do not believe there will be a significant amount of public discourse regarding this matter. This is to be expected, as people likely need time to process and reflect on the situation. However, private discussions will surely take place among the key decisionmakers, including representatives from states, major irrigation districts like IID, and those from the Interior department.

Do you have any additional thoughts about CRWUA or the Colorado River?

The report released by the Interior department, which summarizes the discussions surrounding the current agreement, places a strong emphasis on involving the public in the decision-making process. This is noteworthy as it highlights the significance of public participation. The report summarizes all received comments and underscores the importance of public engagement.