SE Valley Times

Time is running out to determine the future of the depleted Colorado River, according to U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton. Any further delays in negotiating a deal could be catastrophic.

Stanton, representing Arizona’s 4th District, participated in the inaugural ASU Congressional Dialogue at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. The event, sponsored by the ASU Office of Government and Community Engagement, was titled “The Fight to Protect the Colorado River and Our Water Future.”

The 1922 Colorado River Compact regulates water distribution among seven states: Arizona, Nevada, California in the Lower Basin, and Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming in the Upper Basin. Climate change has caused a megadrought that has reduced water levels in the river which was already overallocated. This situation has cut Arizona's share by about one-fifth.

The deal expires in 2026 and decisions on managing the river must consider tribal nations' rights and Mexico's interests as they were not part of the original agreement. The Lower and Upper basin regions disagree on how to manage the river's future.

“The result is that the states are probably further apart than they have ever been on what the future of the river should look like,” Stanton said.

“With Arizona, Nevada and California, we have put forth a serious proposal," he added. "Rather than sit down and have serious negotiations, they are threatening litigation."

Although Arizona has made strides in conserving water, Stanton noted it's insufficient alone to save the river. “It’s important for all parties to recognize that we cannot and will not save the Colorado River simply by cutting water use in the Lower Basin alone,” he said.

Congress has approved funding for infrastructure projects aimed at conserving water. “Congress had the foresight to provide these funds because we knew immediate action was needed to protect critical levels in Lake Mead,” Stanton stated.

Securing this water supply is significant for national security due to semiconductor manufacturing surges underway. “Part of my job in Congress is to educate my fellow Congress members as to why the future of the Colorado River isn’t a Southwest thing or for Western United States but critically important to entire United States,” he emphasized.

Joanna Allhands from Arizona Republic led a question-and-answer session with Stanton and Mike Connor who served under previous administrations focusing on civil works related matters. Connor urged newly appointed Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum’s involvement alongside federal investments into Colorado River Basin efforts.

“The reality is that we can’t go back managing system based certain releases under conditions; new tools facilitating conservation needed,” Connor mentioned during discussions.

ASU was credited by Stanton for its research efforts regarding this crisis where Dave White outlined focus areas within their initiative including technology advancements around augmentation/conservation methods among others aiming towards strengthening resilience against current challenges faced today regionally/globally alike eventually delivering actionable solutions long-term basis too hopefully someday soon enough eventually altogether hopefully someday soon enough ultimately eventually altogether fully someday soon enough ultimately altogether fully ultimately someday soon enough altogether ultimately someday soon enough entirely...