Rep. Haaland on Passage of Important Southwest Water Protection Legislation

Rep. Deb Haaland

Published April 11, 2019

Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act Passes U.S. House

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01), Vice Chair of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act passed the U.S. House:

“In New Mexico, water is sacred – we know it is a limited resource that needs to be protected. The effects of climate change and drought have put a strain on our water resources and the communities who rely on them. By forging this agreement, we’re making sure our water is used wisely.”

The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan is an agreement that establishes new water conservation measures to protect water in the Colorado River Basin, which New Mexico relies on. The bill authorizes the use of voluntary water reductions and innovative management strategies to avoid historic lows in Colorado River reservoirs, which would trigger dramatic water delivery cuts to Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, California, New Mexico and Nevada.