In the throes of a historic megadrought, three Southwestern states will make deep reductions in their water usage to preserve diminishing resources.

After the federal government declared a historic water shortage for Lake Mead this summer, California, Arizona, and Nevada have agreed to reduce the amount of water they procure from the Colorado River in an effort to save one million acre-feet from leaving the reservoir in the next two years. As reported by Jaweed Kaleem and Ian James, "Water agencies in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada agreed to find water savings from various sources and split the $200-million cost with the federal government."
As water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the Colorado River's other major reservoir, continue to decline, experts say states may have to make even deeper cuts to adapt to a future with less water. "The new deal, called the 500+ Plan, nearly doubles the water reductions that the three states — which make up the lower basin of the river — negotiated in 2019 under what is called the drought contingency plan." The deal is a step toward correcting over-allocated water rights, but environmental groups say upriver states must also reduce their usage. Meanwhile, Utah is proposing a controversial new pipeline that would draw more water to that state.
Local tribes hold 20 percent of water rights and have contributed crucial efforts, yet have remained largely unrecognized in official negotiations. During this latest round of agreements, leaders from the Gila River Indian Community and the Colorado River Indian Tribes were present as signatories.
FULL STORY: California, Arizona and Nevada agree to take less water from ailing Colorado River

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.

Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant
A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.

When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions