- The Trump administration has released a Colorado River plan that requires Nevada, Arizona, and California to cut water use by roughly 20% over the next two years.
- Nevada officials have raised concerns that Las Vegas could lose over 70% of its Colorado River allocation due to the proposed cuts.
- In response, Nevada has filed a 31-page lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Nevada, seeking to revoke the federal plan.
- Other states, including Arizona and California, are currently reviewing the lawsuit and may consider joining it.
- Experts have indicated that this legal challenge may ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
- Nevada water managers have warned that the proposed cuts could have devastating long-term impacts on the state's economy and water supply.
- The Colorado River is crucial for Nevada, providing 90% of the water supply for 76% percent of the state's population.
- Nevada's lawsuit argues that the Trump administration's plan violates a complex set of policies and unfairly imposes cuts on three states while exempting four others.
Nevada's lawsuit against the federal Bureau of Reclamation challenges a Colorado River plan that threatens to cut the state's water allocation by over 70%.
John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, stated that these reductions could have catastrophic impacts on the economy and residents' lives.
“This is a matter of survival for a community that represents about two-thirds of our state’s citizens and the lion’s share of its economy,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.
The lawsuit argues that the plan violates existing agreements and unfairly targets Nevada while exempting other states from mandatory cuts.
“This is a statewide issue in terms of the economic impacts that would be felt if these sorts of arbitrary and draconian cuts were imposed upon us,” Entsminger added.
The Colorado River is crucial, providing 90 percent of the water supply for 76 percent of Nevada’s population.
Historical data shows that the river's natural flow averages only 14.7 million acre-feet, below the 17.5 million acre-feet assumed in the 1922 compact.
While Nevada has engaged in discussions with California and Arizona regarding the river, it filed the lawsuit independently, with indications that those states may join the legal action.4
“The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, argues the plan violates the 'Law of the River' and unfairly burdens three states while sparing four. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo called it 'a matter of survival' for a community representing two-thirds of the state's citizens.”
