September 13, 2023
Utah weighs in on future Colorado River operations
On August 15, 2023, the state of Utah through the Colorado River Authority, submitted comments on the development of the guidelines for operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead after 2026. The state also joined the other three Upper Division States on a joint comment letter, in addition to signing off on a collective seven Basin States letter on post-2026 operations.
The three letters can be found here:
Comments were in response to a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Development of Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for the two initiated by the Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation in light of the expiration of the current criteria (2007 Interim Guidelines) in 2026.
The Bureau of Reclamation anticipates issuing a draft EIS by the end of calendar year 2024.