An Arizona committee looking for ways to divvy up cuts from the Colorado River water supply says it has a handful of issues to settle.
Arizona is one of several states, including Nevada, tasked with a drought contingency plan that the federal government wants to adopt by the end of the month.
Farmers, cities, tribes, home builders, state agencies and others on the committee met Tuesday. Their goal is to save up to 700,000 acre-feet of water over seven years.
Farmers in one county want more water and certainty in funding for groundwater wells. Homebuilders also want extra water until a deal with a tribe is finalized.
Two Arizona water utilities remain at odds over water stored in Lake Mead.
The Arizona Legislature must approve the plan once it’s finished.