FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — All seven Western states that rely on Colorado River water now have agreed to a plan to keep key reservoirs from plummeting.
Arizona lawmakers approved the plan late Thursday, becoming the last state to meet a deadline set by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The bureau's commissioner, Brenda Burman, plans to discuss the status of the plans Friday with reporters.
Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming spent years crafting plans that recognize a shrinking supply of river water. The river supports about 40 million people and millions of acres of farmland in the U.S. and Mexico but can't keep up with demand.
Under drought contingency plans, states voluntarily will give up water to prop up Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Mexico also has agreed to cuts.
