- The state of Nevada, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the Colorado River Commission of Nevada are suing the federal government over Colorado River water cuts, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, Aug. 24, alleges that the Department of the Interior’s recently announced framework violates laws governing the waterway.
Last week, the department released its 10-year plan for managing the river. As part of that plan, Nevada will give up 50,000 acre-feet, or about 17%, of its Colorado River allocation. Additionally, California and Arizona are expected to make cuts of 440,000 acre-feet (10%) and 760,000 acre-feet (27%), respectively.
That cut will last for two years and is set to kick in on Jan. 1, 2027.
An acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons — the amount of water needed to cover an acre of land a foot deep. Officials say an acre-foot is enough water to supply two to three households for a year.
In addition, the plan allows for voluntary conservation in Nevada, Arizona and California to store at least 700,000 acre-feet of water over the two-year period to protect the system. That would add to the 1.25 million acre-feet saved each year by reducing releases from Lake Powell.
Named in the lawsuit are Secretary of the Department of the Interior Doug Burgum, the U.S. Department of the Interior itself, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Aubrey Bettencourt, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.
The lawsuit alleges that the department’s plan violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Law of the River. The complaint also said the department failed to consider alternative plans, including those submitted by the lower basin states, as well as a failure to adequately consider environmental effects and respond to comments.
The suit requests an injunction to stop the plan from being implemented.
The document argued that Nevada already undergoes significant con
