On March 19, seven Colorado River Basin States Governors’ representatives and key water districts formally submitted Drought Contingency Plans (DCPs) to Congress for immediate consideration. Signing the letter requesting action were: Thomas Buschatzke, Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources; Peter Nelson, Chairman, Colorado River Board of California; L. James Eklund, Colorado Commissioner, Upper Colorado River Commission; John J. Entsminger, General Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority; John D’Antonio, New Mexico State Engineer; Patrick Tyrrell, Wyoming State Engineer; and Eric Millis, Director, Utah Division of Water Resources.
The letter declared, “Over the past quarter century, the seven Basin States have worked together to better manage and share the waters of the Colorado River. Each Basin State has its own unique considerations and challenges. Historic dry conditions and the resulting decline in water supply in each of the States has contributed and will likely continue to contribute to significant economic, environmental and other impacts throughout the Basin. We support regional, state and local stakeholders in ongoing efforts to obtain federal funding through existing or future programs to help address those impacts. We appreciate your support in advancing federal legislation that would allow us to implement the DCPs upon our execution of those agreements…. We look forward to working with you in this critical effort.” See here for the letter.