Arizona agriculture groups pitch payment plan for water conservationA coalition representing agricultural interests in the Yuma area are pushing...
A coalition representing agricultural interests in the Yuma area are pushing a water-conservation plan in which the federal government would pay them to not use some of the Colorado River water they're entitled to.
Driving the news: The Yuma County Agriculture Water Coalition drafted its Save the River plan in July.
Details: Farmers in Arizona and California would voluntarily conserve 925,000 acre-feet of water annually for four years in exchange for about $1,500 in compensation per acre-foot annually.
Yes, but: The conservation plan would result in reduced crop production.
Why it's important: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation wants all seven Colorado River basin states, including Arizona, to find a way to conserve an additional 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water to help alleviate the 22-year megadrought that's gripping the region.
https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/22/arizona-agriculture-groups-propose-payment-plan-water-conservation