Groups Urge Trump Administration to Halt Wasteful Colorado River Water Use

Environmental advocacy groups, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council and represented by UCLA’s Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic, have petitioned the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to leverage its regulatory authority to restrict 'wasteful' water deliveries from the Colorado River to Arizona, California, and Nevada. The petition argues that current water allocations, especially in the agricultural sector where flood irrigation is prevalent, exceed what is reasonably required for beneficial use and contribute to unsustainable consumption amidst a worsening drought. Advocates highlight that the Colorado River, which supplies water to over 40 million people and vast agricultural regions, has seen flows decline by up to 20% due to prolonged aridity and a growing population. The groups specifically criticize the export of water-intensive crops like alfalfa, equating it to exporting the West's scarce water resources. While some farmers express willingness to adopt more conservation measures if compensated, many agricultural users assert longstanding water rights that complicate reform efforts. The petition coincides with ongoing negotiations among basin states to update the river’s operational guidelines, which are set to expire in 2026.