September 12, 2026 3:08 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 12, 2026 3:08 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to the Arizona Mirror, rural Arizona residents are pushing back against a proposed bill that would allow a hedge fund to transport and sell groundwater from rural areas to cities like Phoenix. Opponents argue the measure could drain local water supplies and remove control from the communities that depend on those resources.
The proposal highlights growing tensions between rural and urban water needs as Arizona faces increasing pressure from Colorado River shortages. As cities look for new water sources, rural communities are raising concerns about long-term sustainability and fairness.
For CRIT, this issue reflects a larger pattern across the Southwest, where water is becoming a highly valuable and contested resource. Decisions about who controls and benefits from water supplies are directly tied to protecting Tribal water rights and ensuring long-term access.
According to Signals AZ, decisions being made about the Colorado River’s future could have significant impacts on Yuma, one of Arizona’s most important agricultural regions. Yuma relies heavily on Colorado River water to support farming and local economies.
As negotiations continue over how to manage the river after 2026, potential reductions in water allocations could affect crop production and economic stability in the region. Officials are closely monitoring how federal plans may shape future water deliveries.
For CRIT, impacts to regions like Yuma highlight how interconnected the Colorado River system is. Changes in water distribution anywhere along the river can affect the overall balance of the system and influence decisions that impact Tribal communities downstream.
According to KJZZ, there is renewed discussion about restarting the dormant desalination plant in Yuma as a way to supplement Colorado River supplies. The plant, which treats water from Mexico, has long been considered a potential tool to help offset water shortages in the region.
Supporters say reviving the plant could help increase available water as Colorado River supplies continue to decline. However, questions remain about cost, environmental impacts, and long-term feasibility.
For CRIT, desalination represents one of several strategies being explored to reduce pressure on the Colorado River. These types of projects could play a role in shaping future water availability across the basin.
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, treated seawater is being considered as a potential solution to help Arizona address deeper Colorado River water cuts. The idea involves desalinating ocean water and transporting it inland to supplement existing supplies. (more…)
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the February 2026 drought status report shows ongoing drought conditions across much of Arizona, with long-term dryness continuing to impact water supplies. While some areas have seen minor improvements, snowpack and precipitation levels remain below average in key regions that help feed rivers and groundwater systems.
These conditions are part of a broader trend across the Colorado River Basin, where reduced snowpack and warmer temperatures continue to limit water availability. Drought conditions not only affect surface water but also place increased pressure on groundwater resources as communities rely more heavily on alternative supplies.
For CRIT, ongoing drought conditions are critical because they directly impact the Colorado River system. Reduced water availability upstream can influence river flows, reservoir levels, and long-term water management decisions that affect Tribal water rights and future planning.
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, two proposed Arizona bills would allow rural groundwater to be sold and transported to larger cities. Supporters say the legislation could help address water shortages in growing urban areas, while opponents argue it could drain rural water supplies and negatively impact local communities.
Residents in rural areas have raised concerns about losing control over their groundwater, especially as demand increases from cities facing Colorado River cutbacks. The issue highlights growing tension between rural and urban water needs in Arizona.
For CRIT, groundwater policy is closely tied to the broader conversation about water use and resource protection. As pressure on the Colorado River increases, decisions about groundwater transfers could reshape how water is distributed across the state and impact long-term water security.
According to the Payson Roundup, Arizona’s congressional delegation is متحد in opposing a federal plan that could reduce the state’s Colorado River water supply. Lawmakers argue the proposal would unfairly impact Arizona and are calling for a more balanced approach to managing shortages across the basin.
The opposition reflects ongoing disagreements between states and federal officials as new rules for managing the Colorado River after 2026 are developed. Arizona leaders say they are working to protect the state’s share of river water amid growing scarcity.
For CRIT, federal decisions about Colorado River allocations are especially important because they influence how water shortages are shared and how Tribal water rights are recognized within the system.
According to NOAA Drought.gov, snow drought conditions continue across much of the western United States, meaning there is less snowpack available to supply rivers like the Colorado River. Even when storms occur, warmer temperatures can cause snow to melt too early or fall as rain instead.
Snowpack acts as a natural storage system for water, slowly releasing runoff into rivers during the spring and summer. When snowpack is low, less water flows into reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which are critical to the Colorado River system.
For CRIT, snow drought conditions are a key concern because they directly affect how much water enters the Colorado River each year, influencing water availability for Tribal communities and long-term resource planning.
According to the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, President Buu Nygren is urging swift passage of a water rights settlement aimed at addressing long-standing water access challenges for the Navajo Nation. The settlement is intended to help secure water infrastructure and provide reliable access to water for communities that have faced shortages for generations.
Tribal leaders emphasize that water rights settlements are essential for ensuring that allocated water can actually be delivered and used, especially in areas lacking infrastructure.
For CRIT, this highlights the broader importance of Tribal water rights across the Colorado River Basin. Securing and developing water rights remains a key issue for Tribal Nations working to protect their resources and support their communities.
According to Tribal Business News, federal officials are warning of a funding gap as tribes support a proposed $5 billion Arizona water settlement. The settlement aims to resolve water rights issues and fund infrastructure projects, but concerns remain about whether sufficient federal funding will be available.
Tribal leaders continue to advocate for investment in water systems to ensure that water rights can be fully realized. Without funding, even legally secured water rights may remain difficult to access or use.
For CRIT, this reinforces the importance of both water rights and the infrastructure needed to support them. Funding decisions at the federal level can directly impact how Tribal Nations develop and protect their water resources.
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to 12News (KPNX), the Central Arizona Project (CAP) is warning that Arizona could face up to $2.7 trillion in economic losses under a worst-case Colorado River management scenario.
CAP officials say severe water reductions could impact agriculture, housing development, and overall economic growth across the state. The Colorado River is a primary water source for Arizona, and any major cutbacks would ripple through multiple sectors.
For CRIT, this highlights how closely water is tied to economic stability. Decisions about Colorado River water are not just environmental, they directly affect jobs, infrastructure, and the long-term well-being of Tribal communities that depend on the river.
According to Newsweek, Lake Powell could see some of its lowest water levels in 25 years due to continued drought and low snowpack across the Colorado River Basin.
Forecasts show that inflows into the reservoir this year could be among the lowest on record, with only about 36% of average runoff expected. If water levels drop too low, it could threaten hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam and reduce the system’s ability to store and deliver water.
For CRIT, Lake Powell plays a major role in managing the Colorado River system. Declining reservoir levels can affect how water is released downstream, which impacts water availability for communities, agriculture, and Tribal Nations along the river.
According to Indianz.com, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is preparing to hold a hearing focused on Tribal water rights.
The hearing will address ongoing efforts to secure and protect water rights for Tribal Nations, many of which are still working to finalize settlements and access infrastructure needed to fully use their water allocations.
For CRIT, this is especially important because Tribal Nations hold some of the most senior water rights on the Colorado River. Federal discussions and decisions around these rights can influence how water is allocated, protected, and developed for Tribal communities now and in the future.
Sources
Indianz.com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/10/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-sets-hearing-on-water-rights/
According to KOLD News 13, ongoing debates over how Colorado River water should be allocated could have major consequences for Arizona farmers. Agriculture relies heavily on Colorado River water, particularly through deliveries from the Central Arizona Project.
If deeper cuts are implemented under new federal operating guidelines, many agricultural operations could face significant reductions in available water. Farmers and water managers are closely watching negotiations as federal officials work to finalize new management rules for the river after 2026.
For CRIT, these discussions are important because agriculture remains one of the largest users of Colorado River water. Decisions about water allocations across the basin could influence farming operations, economic stability, and long-term water planning throughout the region.
According to the Los Angeles Times, officials from Arizona, California, and Nevada are urging the federal government to reconsider parts of its draft plan for managing Colorado River water shortages.
Leaders from the Lower Basin states say the proposal could shift too much responsibility for water reductions onto their states, even though they have already implemented conservation measures in recent years. The request highlights ongoing tensions between the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states as the federal government works toward new operating rules.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the river, the outcome of these negotiations will shape how water shortages are shared across the basin and how the Colorado River is managed in the future.
According to KJZZ, a new agreement involving Arizona and Mexico could move forward plans to produce desalinated ocean water that could eventually supplement Colorado River supplies.
The concept would involve building desalination facilities along the Gulf of California and transporting treated water inland. While the project would require major infrastructure and investment, supporters say it could help reduce reliance on the Colorado River during prolonged drought conditions.
For CRIT, proposals like this reflect how states are exploring alternative water sources as pressure on the Colorado River increases and long-term supply challenges continue.
According to KJZZ, Arizona water officials are pushing back against a draft federal proposal that would guide how the Colorado River is managed after 2026. Leaders from Arizona’s water agencies say the proposal could unfairly shift more water reductions onto Lower Basin states like Arizona.
The plan is part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s process to create new operating rules for Lake Mead and Lake Powell as the river continues to face long-term drought and declining flows. Arizona officials argue the draft proposal does not adequately account for previous conservation efforts already made by Lower Basin states.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these negotiations are critical because the final federal plan will shape how water shortages are shared and how the river system is managed in the decades ahead.
According to the Colorado Sun, water experts are exploring a “conservation pool” concept that could help stabilize water levels in the Colorado River’s major reservoirs. The idea would create a reserve of water stored specifically to protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell from dropping to critically low levels.
Under the proposal, water users across the basin would contribute conserved water that could be held in reserve and used during severe shortages. Supporters say the concept could provide more flexibility in managing the river during drought conditions.
For CRIT and other Colorado River communities, ideas like this illustrate the kinds of creative management strategies being discussed as officials work to protect the long-term reliability of the river system.
Source:
https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/conservation-pool-path-forward-colorado-river/
According to the Imperial Valley Press, California water officials are warning that the federal government’s proposed Colorado River management plan could conflict with the Colorado River Compact and other long-standing water agreements.
State officials say parts of the draft plan could undermine legal water rights that have governed the river for more than a century. The warning highlights growing tension among the basin states as they struggle to reach consensus on how to manage declining river supplies.
For CRIT, discussions about the Law of the River, compacts, and federal authority are especially important because Tribal Nations hold legally recognized water rights that must be considered in future river management decisions.
According to KTAR News, decisions being made about the future management of the Colorado River will have major consequences for Arizona’s water supply. State leaders say upcoming federal decisions on post-2026 river operations could determine how much water Arizona receives during future shortages.
The Colorado River supplies water to millions of people across the Southwest and supports agriculture, cities, and power generation. As negotiations among the seven basin states remain unresolved, federal officials may ultimately have to determine how water reductions are shared.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these decisions are especially important because new operating rules will guide how the river is managed for decades and could influence water deliveries, infrastructure planning, and long-term water security.
According to 9News Denver, the seven Colorado River Basin states have missed key deadlines to reach a new agreement on how to manage the shrinking river. With negotiations stalled, the federal government may ultimately step in and set new operating rules.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has been working with the states to develop guidelines for managing Lake Mead and Lake Powell after 2026, when current shortage agreements expire. Without consensus among the states, federal officials could impose a plan to prevent reservoir levels from dropping to dangerously low levels.
For CRIT, federal involvement in Colorado River operations is significant because Tribal Nations are key stakeholders in the river system. Decisions made during this process could affect water allocations, infrastructure planning, and the long-term stability of the river that supports communities across the basin.
(PARKER, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) remains vigilant and recognizes the efforts brought forward in the release of the Record of Decision (ROD) for operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027–2036). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is not imposing illegal water cuts on CRIT that it initially proposed in the draft EIS issued earlier this year.
CRIT recognizes the current water crisis impacts the millions of people who depend on the River including wildlife and natural habitats. CRIT’s own membership residing in the various towns, cities, states will be impacted by water shortages. Indeed, the Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the River spans since time immemorial.
The ROD cites to formally include Tribal nations including CRIT in the Basin-wide consultation structure. CRIT has been seeking this for years and hopes the BOR keeps to their promise.
On behalf of the CRIT Tribal Council, Chairwoman Amelia Flores states, “The efforts of CRIT have made a difference. The numerous meetings and discussions between CRIT’s Tribal Council and the Bureau of Reclamation have clearly had an impact. In the ROD, the Bureau of Reclamation acknowledged they would follow the decree established in AZ v. California. This is of critical importance to CRIT, which holds the most senior Tribal rights in the Lower Basin.”
Tribal Council Member Tommy Drennan states, “We turn another page in this water crisis. We go forward to defend the river, our allocation, and the voice of our CRIT nation. It is progress, knowing that the US recognizes the need to work towards further solutions until the river recovers. It is progress to know there are no illegal reductions facing our allocation today. We will continue to do what we must to keep the river alive.”
Councilmember Raeanne Patch states, “Given the critical status of the river, tribal consultation is mandatory in every discussion and decision regarding the Colorado River.”
Councilmember Anisa Patch states, “As the river’s natural ability to replenish itself falls further behind, CRIT continues defending our water allocation and traditional lifelines, navigating colonial processes. We fight to preserve our livelihoods, the livelihoods of all living things who depend on this river to the changed landscapes ahead.”
Councilmember Tracey Quillen states, “I am proud of the work CRIT has done to bring us to this point, but our work is not finished. We remain vigilant in protecting our water and will continue working together to ensure that our rights are respected and protected for generations to come.”
The ROD preserves the legal status of CRIT’s water rights. It also clarified Reclamation will not rely on misdealing assumptions about CRIT’s water use in the FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) regarding CRIT’s inability to entirely use its water resources.
However, the ROD also introduces a series of two-year operating frameworks under which additional reductions in water supply for central Arizona could be adopted if reservoir conditions worsen. As a result, CRIT will continue to proactively engage with Reclamation and other stakeholders throughout these successive two-year processes to fully protect CRIT’s water rights.
In November, the CRIT Tribal Council voted unanimously to proclaim Personhood Status for the Colorado River, acknowledging the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members.
While the Tribal Council will stay engaged regarding CRIT’s water allocation, It will also continue to actively address the limitations in water delivery infrastructure which must be addressed by the federal government.
Flores added, “As this water crisis persists, CRIT continues conservation measures to preserve the life of the Colorado River.”
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Veterinarian-Stakeholder Comms-WOLKER-SIGNED
The Colorado River has faced historic drought and declining reservoir levels for more than two decades. In 2019, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, and representatives of the seven Colorado River Basin states signed the Drought Contingency Plans (DCP). The plans established coordinated conservation measures to reduce the risk of Lake Mead and Lake Powell falling to critically low levels.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) were among the Colorado River water users that voluntarily agreed to conserve water as part of the DCP. Between 2020 and 2022, the Tribes conserved 150,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, helping keep additional water in Lake Mead. An acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
CRIT received compensation for the 150,000 acre-feet it conserved. The effort also left approximately 10,000 acre-feet of additional water in Lake Mead. CRIT was not compensated for that portion, which became the Tribes’ Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS).
ICS is conserved water stored in Lake Mead for later use. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to credit the water to CRIT, similar to money held in a savings account. The balance is separate from the Tribes’ regular annual Colorado River allocation, and using it would not reduce CRIT’s allocation in future years.
Two rules govern CRIT’s ICS water. The first involves evaporation. The Bureau of Reclamation accounts for ICS as water stored at the top of the reservoir, making it subject to evaporation losses. Similar to water sitting in an uncovered container, water at the surface is the first to evaporate.
Those losses have reduced CRIT’s original ICS balance from approximately 10,000 acre-feet to 9,009 acre-feet. Water lost through evaporation cannot be recovered, and CRIT does not receive compensation for it. The longer the water remains in Lake Mead, the less CRIT has available to use or receive compensation for.
The second rule limits who may use ICS. It may only be used by the federal government or another entity that also holds ICS. Under the current rules, the Central Arizona Project, commonly known as CAP, and the Gila River Indian Community are the only eligible users for CRIT’s stored water.
CAP has approached Tribal Council about using the water in exchange for compensation. A possible agreement would allow CRIT to receive value from the remaining balance before additional water is lost through evaporation.
CRIT’s ICS is a finite Tribal resource created through conservation. Tribal Council is now considering how to use the remaining 9,009 acre-feet before evaporation further reduces its potential value.
On July 31, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released for the Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Attorney General’s Office swiftly responded upon its release. There are major highlights to note in both the comment letter and the FEIS.
The release of the FEIS is the next step in the process of Reclamation implementing an operations plan for the upcoming water year beginning on October 1. We expect a Record of Decision (ROD), where Reclamation will identify the overall operational parameters for Lake Powell and Lake Mead for the next 10 years, to be released later this week.
CRIT’s declaration of Personhood Status has made it into the official federal record through the FEIS. For the first time ever, Reclamation has acknowledged that the Colorado River is entitled to protection under CRIT law. While it may appear to be a small acknowledgment within this massive federal document, its significance should not be overlooked because it recognizes CRIT’s sovereign Tribal law and its role in protecting the River for generations to come.
Reclamation removed pro-rata distribution from the Preferred Alternative, as it had previously told Council they would (read about their visit here https://bit.ly/4z4Yl13). The letter acknowledges that the federal government has stated in the Preferred Alternative that it will not impact Tribal water entitlements and that any water transactions must be between willing parties.
While Reclamation removed pro-rata from the Preferred Alternative, it did not remove the language from its initial listing of alternatives. The Attorney General was clear that CRIT will always oppose any approach that could disregard the established priority system by allocating shortages proportionally among water users, including those with senior rights, instead of following the law and protecting senior Tribal rights.
Despite these important developments, Reclamation did not fully address CRIT’s earlier comments, and concerns remain with the Final EIS. It continues to incorrectly group CRIT with Tribes that receive water through the Central Arizona Project (CAP). CRIT’s water rights are directly from the Colorado River and are acknowledged in Arizona v. California as the senior-most Tribal right on the Colorado River, which makes CRIT’s water rights fundamentally different from those of Tribes in Central Arizona. Therefore, treating CRIT as though it is similarly situated to CAP Tribes is fundamentally wrong and risks obscuring the legal priority and unique status of CRIT’s water rights.
Just as importantly, CRIT again raised concerns about the lack of meaningful Tribal participation in the broader Basin States negotiation process. CRIT’s position is that Tribal Nations must have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions, not simply an opportunity to comment after those decisions have already taken form.
Quickly filing the comment letter before Reclamation takes any action, and identifying the items in the FEIS where Reclamation failed to address CRIT’s comments, are important parts of the legal process necessary to preserve CRIT’s rights for the future.
Read the comment letter in its entirety and the FEIS below.
Comment Letter
L_Colorado River Indian Tribes_Comments to BOR on Final EIS on Post-2026 Operation Guidelines for Lake Powell and Mead_08022026
FEIS
https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/final-eis/index.html
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona will host a special series of sign unveiling ceremonies on Friday, September 4, 2026, honoring the four languages of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT): Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, & Navajo. These ceremonies represent an important milestone in an ongoing campus-wide initiative to elevate the visibility, recognition, and continued presence of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage within the campus community.
The events are organized by the University of Arizona’s Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE) in collaboration with individual academic colleges. Students, faculty, staff, tribal community members, and the general public are invited to attend the progression of ceremonies throughout the day.
The schedule for the Friday ceremonies includes:
The celebration of Indigenous culture continues into the weekend with the Native American Heritage Game on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Arizona Wildcats will face Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM MST. Pre-game festivities at Bear Down Field will begin at 3:15 PM with the Bear Down Bash, featuring 18-minute cultural performances from each tribe. A traditional gift presentation will follow during the Wildcat Walk at 4:15 PM, leading up to an on-field tribal recognition ceremony during the second quarter of the football game.
For more operational schedules or to register for the unveiling events, please visit the official University of Arizona Event Page.
