U.S. Supreme Court rejects proposed Rio Grande water rights settlement

(UI) – The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a proposed settlement among Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado regarding the division of Rio Grande River water. In a 5-4 decision, the court found the settlement insufficient because it overlooked federal government interests.

The federal government, allowed to intervene in 2018, had claims like Texas, that New Mexico was excessively extracting groundwater from the Rio Grande. The proposed settlement aimed to allocate the river’s waters but faced federal objections due to potential impacts on a federally managed irrigation system.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by other justices, emphasized the federal government's unique interests stemming from the 1938 Rio Grande Compact. The compact relies on federal operations to ensure Texas receives its water share. Jackson argued that dismissing federal interests would be inappropriate after previously allowing federal intervention.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez expressed disappointment, criticizing the federal government's obstruction, which he said would increase legal costs and uncertainty for New Mexico's water users. The Department of Justice did not comment.

Texas contested New Mexico's groundwater pumping, exacerbated by drought and climate change. The Supreme Court's decision countered a recommendation from U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Melloy, who served as a special master in the case.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, dissenting with three other conservatives, supported Melloy's recommendation, arguing that the majority's decision undermines state governance over water rights and complicates federal-state cooperation in water management.

This story was originally reported by Reuters.

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