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Californians bet farming agave for spirits holds key to weathering drought and groundwater limits
Leo Ortega started growing spiky blue agave plants on the arid hillsides around his Southern California home because his wife liked the way they looked. A decade later, his property is now dotted with thousands of what he and others hope is a promising new crop for the state following years of punishing drought in California, Arizona and other Western states, and a push to scale back on groundwate[...]
‘Scoping’ results show new Colorado River rules will face a range of demands
A new federal government report shows Colorado River states are aiming to agree on a plan to cut back on water but remain divided about how to share the shrinking supply among tens of millions across the Southwest.
Land department cancels controversial lease of state land to company growing alfalfa
The state Land Department on Monday canceled one of the controversial leases of state land to a company that has been growing alfalfa for export to Saudi Arabia.
Water cuts force Pinal County farmers to scale back
Farmers in Pinal County left swathes of land unplanted following Colorado River water cuts. Now yielding fewer crops, they’re forced to find alternative ways to survive, as agriculture faces a bleaker future.Â
Process starts for new era managing Colorado River
Stakeholders sharing the Colorado River have started sending their water policy wish lists to the Bureau of Reclamation as they negotiate new river use guidelines.Â
As water regulations shift – again – advocates, officials work to cope
As regulators and advocates grapple with the fallout of a Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the Clean Water Act, water lawyer Rhett Larson offers a calming bit of advice: Be like Bruce Lee.
Getting Colorado River water from California farms will take more than just money
The Imperial Valley produces $2.9 billion in crops and livestock each year. That’s because the valley’s Imperial Irrigation District holds the largest single allocation of Colorado River water – bigger than any other farming district or city between Wyoming and Mexico. But now, that water allocation is under increasing scrutiny from water managers looking to cut back on water use and correct[...]
Feds choose new water and science deputy to focus on drought resilience
The U.S. Interior Department has tapped an official with the federal government's water management bureau to serve as a deputy assistant secretary for water and science.
Interior Department official with key role in Colorado River talks is stepping down
A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week.
Meet the Colorado River’s newest – and youngest – power player
JB Hamby is a water policy bigwig, who helps shape policies that define how water is used by arguably the most influential water users along the Colorado River. He serves on the board of directors for the Imperial Irrigation District and was recently appointed to be California’s top water negotiator. And he’s only 27 years old.
At Lake Powell, record low water levels revealed an ‘amazing silver lining’
If you want to see the Colorado River change in real time, head to Lake Powell.
Climate adaptation in Arizona will require more than just federal funding, luck
The federal government just reached a historic deal with California, Arizona, and Nevada to provide cities, irrigation districts, and tribal governments with around $1.2 billion to temporarily use less water from the Colorado River. In Arizona, these solutions will require unpopular political decisions – and there isn’t much time to enact them.
