The essentials
Nevada challenges Interior Department's Colorado River allocation plan as legally insufficient and economically harmful.
Nevada has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Interior's Colorado River water allocation plan. The state claims it would lose up to 213,556 acre-feet of water allocation under the proposed arrangement.
Nevada's legal filing alleges that the Interior Department failed to analyze economic impacts and consider alternatives before implementing the plan. The lawsuit contends the proposal violates administrative law, environmental law, and the Law of the River—the foundational agreements governing Colorado River water distribution among seven states and Mexico.
The challenge represents Nevada's formal response to federal efforts to manage the Colorado River Basin amid its longest drought in 26 years, which has pushed major reservoirs to historic lows.
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Nevada argues Interior Department broke water law and skipped key analysis
Nevada's lawsuit frames the allocation plan as procedurally flawed, alleging the Interior Department violated administrative law by failing to assess economic consequences and evaluate alternatives before implementation. The state invokes both environmental law and the Law of the River—the interstate compact framework—as violated by the approach.
Nevada faces significant reduction amid basin-wide drought and federal cuts
The proposed loss of 213,556 acre-feet represents a material reduction to Nevada's Colorado River allocation during a period of historic scarcity. This challenge occurs within broader federal mandates requiring 1.25 million acre-feet in annual basin-wide cuts through 2028, intensifying pressure on all dependent states and users.