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May 23, 2023

Western States Reach Deal to Conserve Water from Colorado River
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The Biden administration has reached a three-year deal with western
states to conserve water from the Colorado River. Under the agreement,
the federal government will distribute $1.2 billion to water districts
and tribes in California, Arizona and Nevada to compensate them for
cutting back their water use. The plan hopes to slash water use from the
Colorado River by 13%. Three decades of drought fueled by the climate
crisis have reduced the river's natural flow by about 20%.
Conservationists welcomed the agreement but said a more permanent
solution is needed to protect both the river and the 40 million people
who rely on it for agriculture, drinking water and electricity.


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