Sinema Meets with Key Administration Official on Arizona’s Water Future
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met one-on-one with Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman to discuss Arizona’s water needs.
“Arizona’s future depends on finding smart solutions on water,” said Sinema. “After our state finds consensus, I’ll work with Commissioner Burman and my colleagues to ensure that Arizonans have the clean, reliable water supply we need to thrive.”
The Bureau of Reclamation is a water management agency that plays a key role in water distribution at Lake Mead and throughout the country.
Recent hydrologic reports suggest increased likelihood of a shortage declaration at Lake Mead, which under the current agreement would trigger devastating cuts in Arizona’s water allocation that would harm our state’s economy, particularly our rural areas. To prepare for a shortage declaration, Arizonans have been negotiating a new Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) that would make voluntary reductions in water use in exchange for a more sustainable water future. Once the Legislature passes and the Governor signs a new DCP, Congress must act to ensure the Bureau of Reclamation can formalize the agreement with Arizona and the six other Colorado River Basin States: Nevada, California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming.