Colorado River

Arizona has filed a motion to intervene in Nevada's lawsuit challenging a Trump administration plan for major water cutbacks on the Colorado River. Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said the mandatory cuts "would devastate Arizona's economy." Nevada sued in August, arguing the plan could severely shrink its allotment and harm Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Arizona relies on the river for about 36% of its water, much of it delivered via the Central Arizona Project canal system, which has lower-priority water rights and faces earlier cuts. The expanding legal fight could reach the U.S. Supreme Court, complicating efforts by seven western states to manage the shrinking river's supply.

The Yuma City Council has voted unanimously to authorize potential legal action on two fronts to protect the region's Colorado River water supply. Officials are targeting a proposed transfer of water rights from GSC Farm in La Paz County to the growing town of Queen Creek, joining Mohave and La Paz counties in opposing the deal. Leaders warn that allowing expanding municipalities to buy and redirect water from rural agricultural areas could set a troubling precedent.

Separately, the council authorized possible legal challenges to new Colorado River operating guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which could impose water-use reductions on Lower Basin states including Arizona, California and Nevada. Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls said the city, a major producer of the nation's winter vegetables, should not bear a disproportionate share of any cuts. No lawsuits have been filed yet; the council plans to continue refining its legal strategy in coming weeks before deciding on formal court action.