Colorado River Update:  Reclamation Issues FR Notice for Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has initiated the Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) process for post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies of Lake Powell and Lake Mead.  This process is in addition to the Draft Supplemental EIS we discussed in April, which is intended to ensure that the reservoirs continue to be able to produce power and send a reduced amount of water to fulfill water orders until the 2007 Interim Guidelines expire in 2026.  In the notice filed today in the Federal Register, Reclamation requests that comments for post-2026 reservoir management be submitted by August 15, 2023.  Three public webinar meetings will be held July 17, 18, and 24 to provide information and take oral comments.

The Department of Interior’s press release can be found here.