Federal Plan on Future of the Colorado River

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
PROGRAM #10620 12:00 PM PT

Federal Plan on Future of the Colorado River. 

Federal officials released several proposals to determine the future of the shrinking Colorado River. The seven basin states have to agree on a unified plan by 2026, when current guidelines to manage the river’s waters end in 2026. Officials will seek public comment on the draft before publishing the plan on the environmental impact. What’s in the plan? What are the most contentious issues?

Guest: Alex Hager, News Reporter Covering the Colorado River Basin, KUNC 91.5 FM, Greely, CO.

Alfalfa: The Thirstiest Crop. More than a quarter of all Colorado River water is used to grow alfalfa — more water than is used for 40 million people’s drinking water, business needs and industrial uses combined, according to recent studies. Alfalfa irrigation is depleting the Colorado River. Can agriculture find alternative crops to save water?

Guest: Rudy Arredondo, Founder/Director, Latino Farmers and Ranchers International, Inc., Germantown, MD.

Megadroughts: Here to Stay? Rising temperatures in Western US caused by climate change could make megadroughts occur once every six years by the end of the century instead of once every 1,000 years, as used to be the case. Scientists discuss this warning.

Guest: Jorge Figueroa, Founding Member, River Sisters Initiative, Denver, CO.

Photo: Smtunli/Wikimedia Commons

For more information about Linea Abierta and to find previous shows visit our  Linea Abierta page.