The federal government has announced a new plan for managing the Colorado River, and beginning in 2027, Nevada, Arizona, and California will be required to use less water.

For Nevada, that means a reduction of 50,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water each year in 2027 and 2028.

Nevada already receives the smallest share of Colorado River water among the seven basin states, just 300,000 acre-feet annually. And while Nevada has become a national leader in water conservation and reuse, the larger reality remains:

There is less water in the Colorado River system than communities have historically planned around.

That raises some important questions for Nevada.

• How do we continue building desperately needed housing while protecting our limited water resources?
• What should we expect from water-intensive industries and new development?
• How do we ensure conservation doesn’t disproportionately burden low-income families?
• How do we respect Tribal water rights and sovereignty?
• And how do all seven Colorado River Basin states share responsibility for protecting a river millions of people depend upon?

These questions are especially important as Nevada continues conversations about rapid growth, data centers, housing, energy production, agriculture, and development across our state.

For people of faith, water is more than a commodity.

Water sustains life.

Water connects communities.

Water reminds us that creation is not simply something to consume, but something entrusted to our care.

Nevada has recently decided to sue the Federal Government.

As Nevada looks toward the 2027, LEAN will continue following the intersection between water, development, affordability, and care for creation. Nevadas response and advocating for policy positions that are aligned with Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.

Because the question isn’t simply how much water Nevada gets.

It is also:

How do we faithfully and equitably share what we have?