WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement welcoming the proposal from six of the seven Basin States to continue in a collaborative process and find lasting solutions to the Colorado River drought crisis. Sinema called on California to join the rest of the states.
“The announcement of the proposed collaborative approach to reach a fair, workable, and lasting solution to our water crisis represents a positive step in the right direction, and I’m grateful for Arizona’s leadership on the drought proposal. Now, it’s time for California to help solve the water crisis and be an equal partner.
“Arizona – or any other state – cannot bear the full burden of water cuts. The Colorado River is all of ours and it’s up to all Basin States to work together and protect the lifeblood of all of our economies and environments – our water supply. Failure is not an option, and I hope the Bureau of Reclamation will seriously consider the proposal laid out by the six states.”
Senator Sinema has been actively working with partners in Arizona and across the West to identify solutions helping mitigate the impact of Western drought in Arizona. Last year, Sinema launched a Water Advisory Council of Arizona water experts from agriculture, tribal, conservation, academic, and business communities across Arizona. Sinema personally secured $4 billion in Western water drought resiliency during negotiations of the Inflation Reduction Act – ensuring the legislation included adequate climate resources to secure Arizona’s water and economic future. Following Sinema’s success, the Gila River Indian Community offered 750,000 acre-feet of water conservation over the next three years.
Between Sinema’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and the Inflation Reduction law she shaped, the Senator has secured more than $13 billion in drought relief and Western water funding.
