In early May , there were press reports regarding the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada releasing a proposal on how to manage shortages on the Colorado River system through the end of 2028.  The proposal identifies how current and future shortages on the Colorado River system will be apportioned among the three states.  It establishes goals for the conservation of water and proposes studies to reoperate the reservoirs on the Colorado River to allow for water deliveries at lower elevations.

The Lower Basin Proposal also established a Tribal Pool in Lake Mead setting aside water to specifically address future shortages for those Tribes that receive their water through the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and may be shorted as CAP allocations are diminished.  We want to be clear with you that this Tribal Pool does not pertain to CRIT because our water comes directly from the Colorado River and NOT delivered through the CAP.  Our water rights are the senior Tribal rights in the Colorado River Basin and senior to the CAP.

Tribal Council has taken no formal position on this proposal, and we were not involved in its drafting or negotiation.  We do appreciate, however, that this proposal does not seek to set aside the priority system in allocating shortages, which some in the Lower Basin states have pushed for in the past.  Retaining the priority system for allocation of shortages has been the biggest concern of Tribal Council throughout the Post 2026 Process and we want to acknowledge the Basin States holding firm on this position.  We are concerned, however, about the significant federal investment it will take to implement this proposal and want to be assured that portions of these federal funds will be expended on all Tribal Nations in the Basin.

Tribal Council has been in contact with leadership from Arizona and will continue to monitor how this, and other proposals for the management of the Colorado River, will be viewed by Reclamation.  Tribal Council is also in continuing contact with Reclamation and will hold a government-to-government consultation with Senior Reclamation leaders on June 1st.  We will continue to update membership as these matters develop.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has proposed increasing Operation and Maintenance (O&M) rates for the delivery of water from $85 to $93 per acre. Over the past three years, CRIT and local farmers have experienced water delivery cost increases of more than 20%, while services have remained the same or declined due to the federal government’s cuts in staffing and the poor condition of Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project.

Madam Chairwoman Flores and the CRIT Tribal Council opposes this proposed rate increase and remains committed to strengthening Tribal sovereignty. That includes advocating for fair, transparent, and reliable O&M water delivery rates for our farmers, to preserve the economic health and wellbeing of the Tribes. We have listened to the concerns raised by the CRIT community and our farmers, and will continue working to protect our land, our water, and our future.

Get Involved: Farmers and community members who would like more information or who want to provide input on the proposed rate increase are encouraged to participate by sending a comment letter. Written comments may be submitted to: comments@bia.gov. Use the
subject line: Rate Adjustments for Indian Projects.

Contact: Leslie Underwood, Program Specialist, BIA Division of Water and Power
Office of Trust Services

Comment deadline: May 22, 2026

Learn more:

Letter from CRIT to BIA Opposing the Proposed 2027 O&M Rate Increase:  CRIT Letter

Information from BIA re: the Proposed 2027 O&M Rate Increase: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/23/2026-05577/rate-adjustments-for-indian-irrigation-projects

Check out the new CRIT Fish and Game website at www.CRITFishAndGame.com