If you’ve seen this missing child, please click this link below to help locate her.

https://www.missingkids.org/poster.print.html/NCMC/2084582/1

As CRIT Media approaches this year’s first newspaper, we’re inviting the community to help us celebrate the amazing mothers in our lives this Mother’s Day.
If you’d like to honor a special mom, you can submit her photo along with a short message sharing why she means so much to you and what makes her an incredible mother. Her photo and bio will be featured in the upcoming Manataba Messenger Newspaper.

As part of this celebration, we’re also offering complimentary family portrait sessions in our Media studio for any selected participants who would like to take part or you can send us a photo with a summary explaining why you are nominating this special mom for Mothers Day!

The deadline for entering is May 1st.
Please email critmedia@crit-nsn.gov to nominate a special mother!

The prolonged drought combined with the lowest winter snowpack on record is requiring swift actions to protect this vital water system  

WASHINGTON – Long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system storage to about 36 percent of capacity, and the combination of the lowest snowpack on record and record-breaking March heat has further intensified drought conditions across the Basin. These compounding factors are creating elevated risks to essential water and power infrastructure that supply water to more than 40 million people, underscoring the need for immediate action.

Lake Powell’s water year minimum probable inflow is forecasted at just 2.78 million acre-feet—29% of historical average and one of the lowest on record. Reclamation’s April “24 Month Study” projects Lake Powell may decline to below 3,490 feet—the minimum power pool level—by August 2026 without major intervention. If Glen Canyon Dam declines below 3,490 feet, water releases would be only through the river outlet works, which could cause operational issues, uncertainty for users, downstream impacts, instability in regional power and water supplies, and a reduction in power generation.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met with Governors for the seven basin states, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, and their designees again today to discuss the concerning hydrology and plans for operations.

“I am grateful for the Governors and their teams working diligently to find a solution to the complex challenges created by these unprecedented drought conditions which require immediate action,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “Interior and Reclamation continue to coordinate with the basin states, tribes, Mexico and basin stakeholders as we make the decisions necessary to operate and protect the system.”

To stabilize the system, Reclamation is moving quickly and initial plans include adding up to about 2.48 maf of water to Lake Powell by moving water from the upstream Flaming Gorge Reservoir and by reducing releases from Lake Powell.

Through the 2019 Drought Response Operating Agreements, Reclamation is intending to release 660,000 acre-feet to 1 maf from Flaming Gorge Reservoir from April 2026 through April 2027. In addition, Reclamation is intending to reduce the annual release volume from Lake Powell to Lake Mead by 1.48 maf—from 7.48 maf to 6.0 maf—through September 2026 by utilizing section 6E of the Record of Decision from the final 2024 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for near-term Colorado River Operations.

Together, these actions are expected to increase Lake Powell’s elevation by approximately 54 ft to at least elevation 3500 feet by April 2027. Through the current, ongoing DROA process, the basin states, tribes and partners continue to provide feedback related to the proposed releases. A final decision will be coming next week.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir now holds about 3.1 maf of water, which is 83% full. These actions are expected to lower the reservoir’s elevation by roughly 35 feet over the next year to approximately 59% of capacity. This will have no effect on contracted water rights at Flaming Gorge or Lake Powell. No additional releases from the other upstream initial units of the Colorado River Storage Project Act—Blue Mesa and Navajo reservoirs—are planned at this time, due to their low water levels and poor forecasted inflows.

“Given the severity of the risks facing the Colorado River system, it is imperative that we take action quickly to protect a resource that supplies water to 40 million people and supports vital agricultural, hydropower production, tribal, wildlife, and recreational uses across the region,” said Assistant Secretary — Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. “As we weigh current conditions and prepare for future operations by working with states, tribal nations and stakeholders, the Department of the Interior and Reclamation remain fully committed to taking the actions necessary to reduce impacts on water deliveries, safeguard critical infrastructure, and preserve as much operational flexibility as possible.”  (more…)

Parker, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) welcomes the news that The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the Arizona Legislature’s challenge to Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument, established by a 2023 presidential proclamation, protects approximately 917,000 acres of federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon.

CRIT is part of the Grand Canyon Tribal Leaders’ Coalition and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Tribal Commission.

CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores said, “The Colorado River is indistinguishably  connected to the lands of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. This monument protects the health of the Colorado River, the surrounding lands, and the irreplaceable cultural resources.   This ruling designation honors the tribal connections to the surrounding lands and the value of tribal stewardship in protecting the waters that flow through the Grand Canyon down to our reservation.”

Leadership from the Colorado River Indian Tribal Council served a major role in the official designation of the Monument an attended its dedication ceremony in August 2023.