Water law and policy - Revision history

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2026-07-31T17:05:07Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:05, 31 July 2026
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	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

	In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (~~EIS~~)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 would not include an alternative endorsed by all of the Basin states. Comments on the DEIS that were submitted by states, tribes, local governments, elected officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders are available [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/Public-Review-Comment-Process.html here].		In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 would not include an alternative endorsed by all of the Basin states. Comments on the DEIS that were submitted by states, tribes, local governments, elected officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders are available [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/Public-Review-Comment-Process.html here].

			In July 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/final-eis/index.html released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)]. [https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5383 According to Reclamation], the preferred alternative establishes an adaptive decision framework that can respond to changing conditions over the 10-year period through 2036. Under this framework, Reclamation would issue new operational guidelines every two years based on the prevailing hydrologic and reservoir conditions, but within the "operational sideboards" established in the EIS.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2026-03-18T14:41:58Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:41, 18 March 2026
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	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

	In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 would not include an alternative endorsed by all of the Basin states.		In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 would not include an alternative endorsed by all of the Basin states. Comments on the DEIS that were submitted by states, tribes, local governments, elected officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders are available [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/Public-Review-Comment-Process.html here].

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2026-02-23T18:32:22Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 23 February 2026
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	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

	In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement ~~on a consensus plan~~, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 ~~will~~ not include ~~a seven-state-~~endorsed ~~alternative~~.		In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 would not include an alternative endorsed by all of the Basin states.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas at 18:30, 23 February 2026

2026-02-23T18:30:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 23 February 2026
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	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

			In January 2026, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/draft-eis/index.html released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] for the post-2026 operational guidelines and strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The DEIS evaluated five alternatives; no alternative was developed through consensus of all seven Basin states, and the DEIS did not identify any of the five as the "preferred" alternative. In February, the seven Basin states missed a Department of Interior-imposed deadline to reach an agreement on a consensus plan, raising the prospect that the final DEIS slated to be released later in 2026 will not include a seven-state-endorsed alternative.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-10-21T19:00:22Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:00, 21 October 2025
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	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.

	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in '''Western Water'''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in ''Western Water''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-10-21T18:59:59Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 21 October 2025
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	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.
	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements.
			In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements. In summer 2025, the deputy secretary of Interior imposed a November 11 deadline for the basin states to signal that they will reach a deal to present a single unified alternative, whose details would need to be submitted by February 2026. A [https://www.watereducation.org/western-water/colorado-river-negotiations-near-critical-deadline-new-way-looking-risk-revealing-hard September 2025 article in '''Western Water'''] both updates the status of the basin state negotiations and provides historical background on the modeling approach Reclamation is using in the post-2026 process.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-01-27T18:15:39Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 27 January 2025
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	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.
	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which ~~further~~ documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which more comprehensively documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-01-27T18:15:04Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 27 January 2025
Line 167:		Line 167:

	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.
	In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report] to further ~~document the~~ the five proposed alternatives.		In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report], which further documents and compares the five proposed alternatives and their respective operational elements.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-01-27T18:13:48Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 27 January 2025
Line 167:		Line 167:

	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.
			In January 2025, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/documents/post2026/alternatives/Post-2026_Alternatives_Report_20250117_508.pdf released the Alternatives Report] to further document the the five proposed alternatives.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==

JeffreyJLukas: /* Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations */

2025-01-08T18:20:27Z

Development of new guidelines for post-2026 operations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:20, 8 January 2025
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	In May 2024, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/interimguidelines/seis/index.html released the Record of Decision (ROD) for the SEIS] for near-term Colorado River Operations, implementing the Preferred Alternative identified in the Final SEIS. It addresses the potential for low-runoff conditions in the Basin between now and 2026 through limited adjustments to the 2007 Interim Guidelines. Due to the improved runoff conditions in water years 2023 and 2024, it is now highly unlikely that the adjustments implemented by the SEIS will be needed.		In May 2024, Reclamation [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/interimguidelines/seis/index.html released the Record of Decision (ROD) for the SEIS] for near-term Colorado River Operations, implementing the Preferred Alternative identified in the Final SEIS. It addresses the potential for low-runoff conditions in the Basin between now and 2026 through limited adjustments to the 2007 Interim Guidelines. Due to the improved runoff conditions in water years 2023 and 2024, it is now highly unlikely that the adjustments implemented by the SEIS will be needed.

	In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the ~~Post~~-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.		In November 2024, Reclamation [https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-11/narrative-updated.pdf released five proposed alternatives] to be analyzed over the coming year for the post-2026 draft EIS. The assumptions and implications of these alternatives were further detailed in a [https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/documents/CRWUA-2024-P26-Update.pdf presentation by Reclamation's Carly Jerla] to the CRWUA Annual Conference in December.

	==References and additional resources==		==References and additional resources==