Prevent a Drought Disaster in the Colorado River Basin

Target: Tom Buschatzke, Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources

Goal: Promptly implement sustainable water management practices of the Colorado River Basin.

The Colorado River Basin’s Arizona section is teetering on the brink of a profound crisis, a predicament that has been quietly building over decades. This once-plentiful river system, a vital lifeline for numerous communities, ecosystems, and industries, is now in grave jeopardy. The combined pressures of extensive water utilization and the relentless march of climate change have imposed an unprecedented strain on this invaluable resource.

Generations of human activity, including agriculture, urban development, and industrial demands, have siphoned off substantial volumes of water from the Colorado River. Simultaneously, the increasing impacts of climate change have caused shifts in precipitation patterns and rising temperatures, leading to diminished snowpack and reduced river flows.

This crisis extends far beyond regional concerns; it resonates globally. The Colorado River Basin’s fragile equilibrium impacts the immediate communities and ecosystems that rely on it and contributes significantly to broader water resource and climate change conversations. Urgent and sustained efforts are imperative to safeguard this vital resource, mitigate the consequences of its depletion, and steer towards a more sustainable water future for all.

Sign the petition below to demand swift and comprehensive action to secure the future of water resources in the Arizona Colorado River Basin.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Director Buschatzke,

The time for action in the Arizona section of the Colorado River Basin is now. As stewards of this invaluable resource, we cannot afford further delay. The imminent water crisis threatens not only the communities, but also the ecosystems that rely on the Colorado River.

The situation is exacerbated by Lake Mead’s alarming decrease in water levels, which supplies water to millions of Arizonans. We risk severe water shortages, economic hardships, and ecological damage without immediate intervention.

We urge you to prioritize sustainable water management practices, including conservation measures, responsible allocation, and collaborative efforts with neighboring states. We must safeguard the Colorado River Basin to ensure a prosperous future for all who depend on its waters.

The consequences of inaction are too dire to contemplate. Together, let us chart a path toward a sustainable and resilient future for the Arizona Colorado River Basin.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: U.S. Geological Survey