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Utah official warns Colorado River states face tight deadlines; failure to agree could hand decisions to federal agency
Summary
A presenter to the committee said operating rules for Lake Powell and Lake Mead expire Sept. 30 and that immediate deadlines—Feb. 14 for a seven‑state agreement and March 2 for comments on a draft EIS—create pressure. Failure to reach consensus could prompt federal selection of operations and prolonged interstate litigation.
A presenter to the legislative committee told members that current operating protocols for Lake Powell and Lake Mead expire Sept. 30 and that a series of near‑term deadlines make agreement among the seven Colorado River basin states urgent.
“The Bureau of Reclamation’s deadline for a definitive seven‑state agreement is Feb. 14,” the presenter said, adding that states must also submit formal comments on the draft environmental impact statement by March 2 and have new operating criteria in place by Oct. 1 or face federal selection of a plan.
The presenter outlined the main sticking…
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