Dan Thelander, a farmer in the region, said he has been able to plant only about half of his 6,000 acres with cotton, alfalfa and durum wheat since the Central Arizona Project imposed water restrictions in 2022.
The loss of reliable irrigation water pushed him to explore alternative crops. As part of an experiment with Bridgestone tires, Thelander’s company began cultivating guayule, a drought-tolerant desert shrub that produces natural latex.
“We expect it to become a commercial crop,” Thelander said. “If you don’t water it, it will simply sit there and survive, much like a cactus.”
Thelander said federal crop insurance has helped keep his farm in business. With little expectation that Colorado River water supplies will recover soon, he is now considering selling part of his property.
“Some of the land we own has an option to be purchased by a solar company, and we definitely hope they exercise that option,” Thelander said.
The Colorado River water battle continues
Colorado River water is managed through two broad categories: upstream and downstream states. States above Lake Powell currently face no mandatory water-use restrictions, while Arizona’s downstream partners, California and Nevada, are subject to reductions.
Nevada filed a lawsuit last week challenging the federal Colorado River management plan and asking a court to stop its implementation.
“Southern Nevada could lose more than 70 percent of its already scarce Colorado River share, but upstream states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming do not have to contribute to the decline,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a news release.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs similarly said the federal agency’s 10-year Colorado River management plan leaves her state with “unacceptable options.” However, she said a shorter two-year plan could provide greater stability.
“Arizona has the same problems as Nevada,” Porter said. “So I wondered whether Arizona would also sue. I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com