Offstream Storage of Colorado River Water and Development and Release of Intentionally Created Unused Apportionment in the Lower Division States

This rule establishes a procedural framework for the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to follow in considering, participating in, and administering Storage and Interstate Release Agreements among the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada (Lower Division States). The Storage and Interstate Release Agreements would permit State-authorized entities to store Colorado River water offstream, develop intentionally created unused apportionment (ICUA), and make ICUA available to the Secretary for release for use in another Lower Division State. This rule provides a framework only and does not authorize any specific activities. The rule does not affect any Colorado River water entitlement holder's right to use its full water entitlement, and does not deal with intrastate storage and distribution of water. The rule only facilitates voluntary interstate water transactions that can help satisfy regional water demands by increasing the efficiency, flexibility, and certainty in Colorado River management.