Nevada sues federal government over Colorado River plan, citing procedural flaws

Nevada filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department alleging the new Colorado River plan imposes heavy cuts on the Lower Basin (including Nevada) and was enacted with flawed procedures, failing to adequately consider the impact on Nevada’s people and economy and not mandating similar cuts for Upper Basin states. Arizona is still weighing its response, with California and other partners having pushed for a shared solution. The plan could trim more than 70% of Nevada’s allocation and allows larger reductions after 2028, while a temporary framework through 2028 was intended to ease cuts. Analysts say the suit could slow urgent, short-term fixes but is unlikely to reach the Supreme Court soon.