The Office of the Governor of the State of Nevada
08/21/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Statement From Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and John Entsminger on the Release of Colorado River Guidelines
LAS VEGAS - The Department of the Interior today issued the Decision Framework for Colorado River Guidelines: Coordinated Operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027-2036) and an Operating Plan for Lake Powell and Lake Mead for 2027 and 2028. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager and Nevada's Governor's Representative for Colorado River negotiations, issued the following statement:
"The Lower Basin's proactiveness and response to ongoing drought and extreme weather impacts affecting Lake Mead remains a model for river management," said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. "However, the federal government has produced a plan that provides little certainty for Nevada and other Lower Basin users. Looking into years three through 10 of the decision framework, the federal government is positioning to short Nevada -- the state with the smallest river allocation at only 1.8% - sacrificing the health and safety of Nevadans before requiring equal water responsibility for our shared water resources from the Upper Basin."
"Southern Nevada has done its part to mandate common sense water conservation and efficiency measures," said SNWA General Manager John Entsminger. "Our conservation achievements are unmatched. Seven-state consensus plans remain Nevada's preferred path for this river. But, in the absence of science-based operating regimes that demand reasonable water use reductions by all seven states, Nevada will fight to protect our community's water supply."
Nevada is closely reviewing the Record of Decision issued today to fully assess its implications for Southern Nevada. While the Operating Plan for the next two years appears generally consistent with the Lower Basin States' proposal, a thorough review of the decision and its implementation details is under way.
CONTACT
Drew Galang, Governor's Office
Bronson Mack, Southern Nevada Water Authority
702-249-5518
The Office of the Governor of the State of Nevada published this content on August 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 23, 2026 at 17:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]