New, Landmark Protections in Place for Colorado River
Monday, November 26, 2012
PHOENIX - A landmark agreement between the United States and Mexico sets up clear guidelines for how the Colorado River will be managed and protected through 2017. The agreement was just signed and goes into effect immediately. The Bureau of Reclamation says it's designed to make sure that the seven states the river flows through in the U.S., as well as Mexico, will have adequate access to river water.
Molly Mugglestone, project coordinator of Protect the Flows, a coalition of 600 businesses dedicated to helping preserve the Colorado and its tributaries, says she's thrilled by the announcement.
"It really does set a precedent for what we hope is a long, good future for the Colorado River in terms of decisions that are made that can really benefit the health of the river, and the economy that is tied to the river."
Mugglestone says businesses and agriculture depend on a healthy river, with a Colorado River recreation economy worth $26 billion annually. She adds there is still work to be done to protect not only the Colorado but also the tributaries that feed into it.
"There are strained rivers across the whole Colorado River system. Habitat is challenged and there's need for some of those more environmental flows and those kind of things to really create a healthier river."
In Arizona, the effects will include better management for both using and conserving the water. The plans also include stepped-up management for Lake Mead in times of both surplus water and drought, and measures that will help restore the river delta in Mexico, which currently is nearly dry.
The Bureau of Reclamation announcement is at tinyurl.com/aklk38b.
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