Mohave County approves draft comment letter urging protection of local Colorado River water interests
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Summary
The board approved, in principle, a draft comment letter to the Bureau of Reclamation’s post‑2026 Colorado River EIS that calls on Reclamation to uphold the Colorado River Compact and to protect Mohave County allocations; staff will finalize the letter and submit comments before the March 2, 2026 deadline.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 17 to approve in principle a draft county comment letter on the Bureau of Reclamation’s draft environmental impact statement for post‑2026 operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
County staff briefed the board on the draft letter, noting the federal draft EIS (released Jan. 2026) evaluates several alternatives to stabilize reservoir operations. Daniel (county staff) told supervisors the draft letter calls on Reclamation to enforce the Colorado River Compact and to protect deliveries to lower‑basin users while also asking that Mohave County be allowed to reserve stored water behind Hoover Dam for future local use. “We call on Reclamation to make sure that the law is upheld,” Daniel said.
Chairman Lingenfelter emphasized the direct local impact, saying river communities such as Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City rely on Colorado River deliveries under longstanding contracts and rights. He urged residents, businesses and community organizations to review the Bureau of Reclamation materials and submit comments by March 2, 2026.
The board approved the draft “in principle,” authorizing the chairman to sign the final comment letter after staff incorporates any additional input. Staff said the comment period closes March 2 and that the county will continue to coordinate with state partners to protect local allocations and emphasize conservation and planning.
No formal changes to local law were proposed; the action was a policy comment to a federal rulemaking process. The board’s action keeps Mohave County engaged in the federal process to influence operational decisions that could affect local water supplies and hydropower operations.