FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. government says seven Western states that rely on the Colorado River have completed their work on a plan to protect the waterway amid a prolonged drought.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman made the declaration in a call with reporters Tuesday.
She commended Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming for reaching a consensus.
Tuesday marked another deadline she had set for states to wrap up years of work on the plan. She previously asked for governors to weigh in after California and Arizona missed an earlier deadline but says she'll cancel that request.
The states now are pushing for federal legislation to implement the drought plan.
The river serves more than 40 million people and 7,812 square miles acres of farmland in the West.