Biggs, Stanton: Colorado River states need drought funds now

Andy Biggs and Greg Stanton, two Congressmen from Arizona, have collaborated to call for the distribution of funding designated for drought mitigation. A total of $4 billion, allocated as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was established for such efforts, and yet a significant portion remains unused as the expiry date in September looms.

According to Stanton, the bureau’s recent indication suggests that the funding is being withheld in an attempt to persuade the seven states dependent on the Colorado River to strike a water-sharing agreement. “In front of numerous congressional staff, Reclamation leadership hinted at their plan to utilize these resources as a stimulus to instigate an agreement between the states,” Stanton noted.

Despite efforts, the affected states have yet to reach a consensus on the matter. Continual failure to adhere to set deadlines for a new water agreement has thus far been the norm.

The two congressmen, in an attempt to hasten expenditure, have written a joint letter urging both the Bureau of Reclamation and the executive branch’s Office of Management and Budget to allocate at least $500 million from the remaining funds immediately.

The bipartisan collaboration between Stanton, a Democrat, and Biggs, a Republican, serves to underscore the non-partisan nature of the issue. As Stanton elucidates, “We need to make it clear that this is an issue of desperate need for the entire river basin, not just a political dispute.”

The urgency of the situation is further emphasized by Stanton’s words, “The river is in a precarious condition. It has been a challenging year, so we need those resources now to fund crucial projects that will help maintain the river’s health. We need to get those resources out now before the money runs out.”

Stanton is not certain about similar demands being made by other states but insists that their request is about the river’s overall health, not just Arizona’s interests.

The funding could be used for a variety of projects, with the Yuma Desalting Plant in southern Arizona being one of them. Biggs has expressed his intention to reactivate the plant to enhance the state’s water supply, potentially reducing Arizona’s reliance on the Colorado River.