Arizona is renewing a focus on a drought contingency plan for the shrinking supply of Colorado River water, and other Western states are paying close attention.
An Arizona utility was accused earlier this year of manipulating the system that governs water allocations.
The Central Arizona Project has since pledged to be more cooperative with other river users, more respectful and more transparent.
The agency has been prodding Colorado River states to wrap up drought contingency plans by the end of the year, one each in the lower and upper basins.
The amount of water that gets sent to the lower basin states — Arizona, Nevada and California — and Mexico depends on Lake Mead, the reservoir formed by Hoover Dam.
Shortages would be triggered if the man-made reservoir on the Arizona-Nevada border dips to 1,075 feet (328 meters) above sea level.
Mexico wouldn’t conserve more water if the lower basin states don’t finalize a plan, said Chris Harris, executive director of the Colorado River Board of California.
"That creates this real uncertainty," said John Fleck, director of the University of New Mexico’s Water Resources Program.
Harris said California agencies are still working out the details but said Burman’s participation in the Arizona meeting is a step in the right direction.
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