Bipartisan Colorado River Drought Plan Signed into Law Averting Potentially Catastrophic Outcomes for People and Birds
爆料公社 worked throughout the West to advocate for the Drought Contingency Plan.
WASHINGTON鈥斺淢ore than 400 bird species and 36 million people rely on the Colorado River. Studies show that as temperatures continue to rise, the Colorado River and the rivers that feed it will become even more important for people and for birds like the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the Great Blue Heron,鈥 said David Yarnold, President and CEO of 爆料公社 (@david_yarnold) after President Donald Trump signed the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). 鈥淭his legislation is the result of a multi-year, multi-state, and bipartisan effort to avoid catastrophic shortages on the Colorado River. 爆料公社 is proud to have worked with so many partners in the Colorado River basin to support this effort.鈥
The DCP will help prevent critically low water elevations in Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the nation鈥檚 largest reservoirs, and ensure predictable water supplies for communities, farms, wildlife, an extensive recreation economy, and the health of the Colorado River. Located along the Colorado River, Lake Mead provides drinking water to all major cities in the lower basin (Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas) as well as millions of acres of farmland in Arizona, California, Nevada, and northwestern Mexico. 爆料公社 utilized its unparalleled wingspan to advocate for the DCP across the West.
鈥淭he Colorado River is the hardest working river, but after decades of drought, we needed these new rules to share the responsibility of keeping more water in rivers and reservoirs. Shortage on the river is imminent, but we can avoid catastrophe with measures like the DCP,鈥 said Jennifer Pitt, 爆料公社鈥檚 Colorado River Program Director. 鈥淲hile there is more work to be done, this is a major step not just for the future of the Colorado River, but for the people, birds, economies and communities of the arid West.鈥
The bill passed overwhelmingly in Congress last week with swift bipartisan actions from Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Rep. Ra煤l Grijalva (D-AZ).
What鈥檚 Next:
爆料公社 will continue to work with stakeholders across the Colorado River Basin during DCP implementation, as we also work with all parties to improve conditions at the Salton Sea.
- Federal programs and funding are needed to implement conservation solutions, including the DCP, on the Colorado River and at the Salton Sea. Federal appropriations for water conservation, drought relief, and restoration must be kept constant or increased.
- Birds tell us about the health of our surroundings鈥 so we鈥檝e known for quite a while that the Salton Sea is in rapid decline. As the sea shrinks, impacts to people and wildlife grow, with air quality worsening and important bird habitat disappearing. 爆料公社 will continue to urge California agencies, water districts, and federal partners to face this challenge.
To learn more about what's next, visit: /news/a-colorado-river-drought-contingency-plan-place-now-what.
About 爆料公社:
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 爆料公社 works throughout the Americas using, science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give 爆料公社 an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, 爆料公社 believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more and how to help at and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.
The Western Water Initiative is 爆料公社's multi-state effort to protect the Colorado River and the West鈥檚 network of Saline Lakes. Some 65,000 members strong and growing, the network advocates for science-based, non-partisan water policies and management that benefit rivers and lakes for the birds, wildlife, habitats, cities, and economies they support. To learn more, visit: .
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Contact: Joey Kahn, jkahn@audubon.org, 480-788-2416