(Severe Drought on the Colorado River)... Seven Basin States rely on the Colorado for their water supply.

Six of those states have agreed on a model to dramatically cut water use in the basin. California, with the largest allocation of water from the river, is the lone holdout. Mexico, who is a recipient of Colorado River water, but not a member of the 7 basin states, has not signed on to the agreement, either. California officials say they will be releasing their own plan. The Bureau of Reclamation had called on the 7 states to prpose ways to conserve 2-4 million acre feet by mid August. That deadline was not met. They regrouped to reach a consensus by the end of January to fold into a larger proposal Reclamation has in the works. The six basin states sent a letter to reclamation on Monday, outlining an alternative that builds on existing guidelines, deepend water cuts and factors in water thats lost through evaporation and transportation. The model creates more of a protective buffer for Lake Mead and Lake Powell. JB Hamby, IID Director and chair of the Colorado River Board of California, says California will submit a model for water reductions in the basin that is practical, based on voluntary action, and aligns with the law gorning the river and the hierarchy of water rights. No action is planned right now, but not reaching a consensus of the 7 basin states carries a risk of having the federal government alone determine how to eventually impose cuts.