Overview
- The more than 1,600-page draft environmental impact statement outlines five operational alternatives for the river’s major reservoirs, including a required No Action option.
- Reclamation did not identify a preferred alternative, with acting Commissioner Scott Cameron indicating any final agreement could combine elements of the five proposals.
- The public comment period runs Jan. 16 to March 2, and the agency will hold virtual briefings on Jan. 29 and Feb. 10.
- Interior has set a Feb. 14 milestone for a seven-state agreement, and the administration has indicated it could select a plan by Oct. 1 if no deal emerges.
- Upper and Lower Basin states remain split over how to share shortages, even as Lake Powell and Lake Mead sit near one-third capacity and the river serves about 40 million people.