Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Low Lake Mead levels prompt water conservation in California, Arizona
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Friday, June 3, 2022
Central Arizona Project canal, Onel5969 via Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])

Critically low levels in Lake Mead are prompting officials in Southern California and Arizona to get a head start on conserving water. Unprecedented water restrictions hit Southern California this week ([link removed]) , following the state's driest ([link removed]) spring ever ([link removed]) , and some cities in Arizona also activated plans this week ([link removed]) to save water.

"As we head further into summer, we will likely see historically low conditions at Lake Mead," Central Arizona Project Colorado River Programs Manager Vineetha Kartha said during a presentation Thursday ([link removed]) , adding that the nation's largest reservoir—which serves most of Southern California as well as Central Arizona—is currently filled to about 26 percent of its capacity.

Kartha predicted a "Tier 2A" cut could go into effect in August ([link removed]) , when the Bureau of Reclamation is scheduled to release its annual forecast for the Colorado River Basin. That would mean 80,000 fewer acre-feet of water for Arizona, which already lost 512,000-acre-feet ([link removed]) under the "Tier 1" status beginning at the start of 2022.

The California cuts will affect residents in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties ([link removed]) . Officials there are asking residents to cut outdoor watering to twice a week ([link removed]) , eight minutes per day—or 15 minutes if using a water-conserving nozzle. Officials in Southern California are also planning to levy fines of $2,000 per acre-foot of water ([link removed]) to areas that fail to meet the state’s water savings goal.

In Arizona, local governments are focusing on encouraging voluntary water use reduction. ([link removed]) The cities of Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale are planning an intensive public education campaign ([link removed]) to broaden awareness of the Valley’s shrinking water supply, in hopes of convincing people to stop using water outside.
Quick hits


** Havasupai fear uranium mining near Grand Canyon
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NPR ([link removed])


** Once eager to drill, oil companies exit leases in Arctic refuge
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Colorado wolf reintroduction takes a step forward, but recommendations face resistance
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Colorado Politics ([link removed])


** Interior wants to hear from public on law enforcement
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E&E News ([link removed]) | Interior Department ([link removed])


** Democrats missed their Memorial Day deadline for climate policy. Now what?
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Grist ([link removed])


** Hudbay wins latest court battle over the Rosemont Mine
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AZ Mirror ([link removed])


** The state lawmaker all in on lithium
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Politico ([link removed])


** Interior to weigh oil, gas leasing impacts on 4 million acres
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Reuters ([link removed]) | NBC Montana ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” People still consider seed banking the best way to conserve these species that are at risk of climate change. But something that I think about is: We might make this collection and then, ten years later, we want to use these seeds for a reintroduction process. And the climate may be totally different than what it was at the time of collection.”
—Denver Botanic Gardens researcher Alex Seglias, Denverite ([link removed])
Picture this


** @CanyonlandsNPS ([link removed])
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Entering the backcountry of Canyonlands NP is a special experience. Those that do are greeted by desert solitude & endless inspiration. What do these places mean to you? What would it mean if places like this did not exist?

Follow the link & share ideas! [link removed] ([link removed])

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