Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are asking the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure projects for Colorado River preservation will still get their funding.
The Bureau of Reclamation has already signed off on money for projects across Arizona — including an $86 million agreement to build a recycled water plant in Tucson in exchange for the city taking less Colorado River water over the next 10 years.
But in a letter to the agency this week, the lawmakers say their constituents are reporting funding for some of that work has been paused amid the Trump administration’s efforts to freeze federal funding.
They say uncertainty about what’s next for those payments has impacted project implementation and could harm collaboration between the federal government and local jurisdictions. They’re asking the agency to ensure all funding is made available again.
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On Sept. 8, KJZZ water reporter Alex Hager presented your questions and concerns to a panel of experts.
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Officials say the new plan is like digging in the "couch cushions" for promises to save Colorado River water, but compensation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority could help reach a larger goal. -
Arizona is still working on a deal with California and Nevada to spread out the pain of cutbacks, but they are still figuring out which cities and farms will use less water. -
Plans for a massive film studio and retail complex in Tonopah also include a large-scale data centerThe developer, Anita Verma-Lallian, says it could be the largest film studio in the country. -
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency ahead of what is expected to be a Super El Niño. That extra water presents challenges and opportunities to an area in the midst of ongoing drought.
