An agreement between the United States and Mexico on use of Colorado River water also is set to expire at that time. The department’s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation promised a “robust and transparent public process” beginning with online virtual public meetings July 17, July 18 and July 24. However, agriculture uses the most water, including farms in the arid Imperial Valley area of California and Yuma County in Arizona that produce many of the nation’s winter vegetables. Native American tribes along the river argue that they have not been involved in water-use decisions. “The Bureau of Reclamation is committed to ensuring we have the tools and strategies in place to help guide the next era of the Colorado River Basin, especially in the face of continued drought conditions,” bureau Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said.

Source: Daily Sun June 16, 2023 19:57 UTC