ADWR and CAP update Arizona Reconsultation Committee on Colorado River issues

The Arizona Reconsultation Committee (ARC) reconvened on Wednesday, July 13 for an update on Colorado River conditions and the 2007 Interim Guidelines reconsultation process. The presentation is here and the video is here.

The 2007 Interim Guidelines for the coordinated operation of Lakes Powell and Mead are set to expire at the end of 2026. On June 24, the Bureau of Reclamation published a notice in the Federal Register announcing a request for input on the development of post-2026 operational strategies for Lakes Powell and Mead. This is also being referred to as a “pre-scoping” notice where the agency is collecting information from the public prior to publishing the Notice of Intent and starting the formal National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. Comments are due by Sept. 1. The formal reconsultation process is expected to begin in 2023.

The Colorado River Basin states will play a leading role in developing these new guidelines. TheArizona Department of Water Resources and Central Arizona Project convened the ARC to provide input on Arizona’s participation and path forward in this process.