LAS VEGAS -- The standoff over the Colorado River's future continues.
Hundreds of people gathered in a Las Vegas conference room Thursday to get a much anticipated glimpse into negotiations over the river's future management from seven state officials. What they heard was oft-repeated talking points, finger-pointing and disagreements over basic facts.
"My God, we are so far apart," a rancher from California, who declined to share his name, murmured during the panel discussion.
The Colorado River has been stretched thin, overused and beset by over two decades of drought. The state negotiations are part of a long federal process to replace the current management rules, which expire in 2026 and outline how two key reservoirs, lakes Mead and Powell, store and release water in wet and dry years.
The outcome of that federal process will decide how the water supply for 40 million people will be managed for years to come.
The state panel, hosted by the Colorado River Water Users Association, is a popular draw each year because it typically puts all seven state negotiators at the same table to offer a rare glimpse into their closed-door discussions.
This year, however, it was divided into two: one featuring the Lower Basin -- Arizona, California and Nevada -- and the other featuring the Upper Basin -- Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
The gulf between the groups was palpable, measured by applause.
Lower Basin Proposal
The Lower Basin doubled down on its river management proposal, which outlines a system in which water cuts would be shared by all basin states in severely dry water years. The Lower Basin states would take the first cuts in less-dry years.
"We didn't complain. We didn't hand-wring. We got it done, and we're happy to provide notes to partners throughout the basin on how to get stuff done," JB Hamby, California's top negotiator said Thursday.
Upper Basin Response
The Upper Basin also focused on its proposal that suggests all mandatory cuts take place in the Lower Basin while participating only voluntarily themselves. Officials stated that there is simply not enough water available for further cuts without impacting farmers and ranchers already affected during dry years.
"In the Upper Basin it's like 'Hunger Games.' We are hungry all time; there’s never enough," said Becky Mitchell from Colorado as she pleaded acknowledgment towards these struggles faced within her region under such circumstances."
All governor-appointed officials have expressed commitment towards returning back onto negotiation tables except they skipped this week's annual preconference meeting due ongoing disputes regarding various complex details surrounding discussions held thus far almost halfway through federal processes expected conclude August 2026 allowing necessary public comments revisions waiting periods among others before finalizing agreements reached eventually avoiding legal confrontations Supreme Court potentially handing control decisions concerning future developments related issues arising therein instead preferring cooperation collaboration amongst themselves rather than resorting litigation approach previously considered undesirable option overall according recent statements made lower basins calling enforce compact call force upper counterparts cutbacks interpreted step possible lawsuit filed against them should situation continue deteriorating further beyond point return anytime soon ultimately leading potential consequences unforeseen nature altogether unless addressed promptly decisively manner required resolve matters amicably once fall regardless difficulties encountered along way need overcome achieve desired outcomes beneficial everyone involved equally importantly hydrology itself enemy needs confronted effectively efficiently order succeed moving forward positively proactively ensuring sustainable solutions implemented successfully benefit generations come later date hopefully sooner better late wise words spoken Brandon Gebhart Wyoming emphasized importance working together peacefully productively instead wasting energy unnecessary conflicts distractions detracting main objectives goals set originally intended accomplish initially planned outset journey embarked upon jointly united front facing challenges head-on courageously determinedly steadfastly committed achieving success end day no matter obstacles hurdles placed path ahead daunting task indeed yet 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