Central Arizona Project president says feds ‘bought the lies’ on Colorado River plan

The president of the Central Arizona Project accused the Department of the Interior on Friday of siding with Upper Basin states and accepting false claims about water obligations in the newly released Colorado River management plan.

The Central Arizona Project is the state’s largest supplier of renewable water, delivering Colorado River water to Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties through a 336-mile canal system.

“The Department of Interior basically bought their lies,” Terry Goddard told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos, referring to Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, which have refused to agree to any water reductions even in the most extreme shortage conditions.

The remarks came hours after the Bureau of Reclamation published its final environmental impact statement outlining how the Colorado River will be managed after current guidelines expire later this year.

The plan requires Arizona, California and Nevada to curb their combined water use by roughly 20% over the next two years. Upper Basin states face no mandatory reductions.

“I think Arizona should be outraged at what came out today,” Goddard said.

Goddard noted Arizona and its Lower Basin partners had expected a 20-year framework. Instead, the federal government delivered a two-year stopgap that largely adopted voluntary cuts the three states had already agreed to.

He added the Upper Basin states told negotiators they would not take “a single gallon” in cuts. The Upper Basin states issued a joint statement Thursday defending their position.

Goddard acknowledged water bills for Arizona residents will likely rise.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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