Report: Trump budget proposal could affect Arizona’s water demands
Apr 12, 2017, 5:02 AM
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOENIX — American Rivers has labeled the lower Colorado River as America’s most endangered this year, a river which Arizona depends on.
According to their study released on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts will affect a river that provides drinking water for 30 million Americans. The lower Colorado river also irrigates fields that grow 90 percent of the nation’s winter vegetables, according to the study.
The Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget proposal means there could be cuts to many environmental departments.
“The water demands of Arizona, Nevada and California are outstripping supply, the impacts of climate change are becoming acute, and the river is at a breaking point,” American Rivers said. “If the deficit is not addressed, the Bureau of Reclamation will be forced to cut water deliveries, with severe economic impacts to farms and cities across Arizona, Nevada and California.”
The nearest river to Arizona also on their most endangered list is Bear River in California.
