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LET'S PUT THAT IN CONTEXT >>
The
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation set a February 14, 2026, deadline
for seven Colorado River basin states to reach a voluntary agreement on
long-term water usage cuts, or face direct federal intervention. Due to
intractable disagreements, especially regarding which states share the
burden of shortages, a, “deal in principle” is required to prevent
unilateral federal management as current rules expire in 2026.Key Details on the Impasse and Intervention:
- The Deadline: While Feb. 14 is a critical date for a "deal in principle" to avoid federal intervention, it is not a rigid deadline for final,, minor details.
- Federal Action: If no consensus is reached, the Secretary of the Interior is expected to step in to create a new, long-term operating plan to protect reservoir levels.
- The Conflict: Lower Basin states (AZ, NV, CA) and Upper Basin states (CO, NM, UT, WY) are deadlocked over how to share cuts, with Arizona facing a potentially outsized burden if the feds take over.
- Dire Forecasts: Projections indicate 2026 inflow could be 27% lower than normal, risking the collapse of hydropower production at Lake Powell.
- Potential Consequences: A failure to agree may lead to immediate, heavy, federally mandated water cuts and potential legal action from states
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