Equity in the Colorado River Basin: How to Sustainably Manage a Shrinking Resource
Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1
Simply put 鈥� demands for water in the Colorado River Basin exceed supply.听 Chronic drought, record heat, and rampant wildfires are already affecting the Basin鈥檚 overall health and resilience, and the historically low levels in Lakes Mead and Powell led to an unprecedented call on the river.听 These compounding challenges come at a time when several key components of the 鈥淟aw of the River鈥� are sunsetting in 2026.听 Key players are already revisiting the 2007 Interim Guidelines, Minute 323, and the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan.听 Relatedly, endangered fish recovery programs relevant to the region expire in 2023.听 Meanwhile, 48% of Tribal households in the U.S. do not have access to reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or basic sanitation.听 These harsh realities hasten the need to advance sustainable water management, improve watershed resilience, and ensure clean water access through collaborative decision-making.听 We look forward to bringing together diverse expertise from across the region to draw the roadmap to an equitable future in the Colorado River Basin.
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