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Arizona Lawmakers To Debate Drought Plan Ahead Of Deadline

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona lawmakers face a Thursday deadline to let the state join a drought plan for the Colorado River or risk blowing up a compromise years in the making for the seven states that draw water from the constrained river.

Arizona is the only state that requires legislative approval to join the agreement, which will require the states to take less water from the river in hopes of keeping major reservoirs from reaching catastrophically low levels.

The House and Senate are scheduled to debate the legislation Thursday.

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The Legislature's approval would be the final puzzle piece that avoids potentially more severe cutbacks imposed by the federal government.

The river serves 40 million people in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.