Phoenix – On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed the Drought Contingency Plan legislation, which formalizes an agreement to conserve more water in the Colorado River system. The bipartisan legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to adhere to the agreements previously adopted by the seven basin states, including Arizona.
On January 31, 2019, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation authorizing Arizona’s participation in the Drought Contingency Plan. The plan, which allows Arizona to join six other western states and Mexico in signing onto an inter-state water agreement to conserve water in the Colorado River system.
According to the governor’s office, Ducey also issued an Executive Order establishing the Governor’s Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council to focus on long-term water conservation and innovation. One meeting has already occurred, and members of the Council are discussing the issues that will be worked on in the coming months and years.