{"id":11153,"date":"2020-02-19T16:11:34","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T21:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/?p=11153"},"modified":"2020-02-20T09:38:46","modified_gmt":"2020-02-20T14:38:46","slug":"new-bill-protect-scarce-az-water-supplies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/2020\/02\/19\/new-bill-protect-scarce-az-water-supplies\/","title":{"rendered":"This bill will protect scarce water supplies for rural Arizona, if the Legislature can pass it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breakthrough reporting by the Arizona Republic<\/a> widely exposed what is perhaps one of the state\u2019s darkest water secrets: Groundwater pumping is essentially unregulated in nearly 80% of the state, putting the livelihoods and water supplies of up to 1.5 million residents<\/a> at risk.<\/p>\n

Groundwater is essential for life in the Southwest. It makes up about 40% of the water that Arizonans use each year. In many of the state\u2019s rural areas, groundwater is the only available water supply.<\/p>\n

Although Arizona regulates groundwater in and around Phoenix and Tucson, there are no limits on groundwater pumping in most of the state. As a result, more than a third of Arizona\u2019s perennial rivers<\/a> have been lost or altered; the city of Kingman\u2019s main aquifer is projected to run out of water in 60 years or less<\/a>; and residents in rural Arizona are already seeing their wells run dry.<\/p>\n

Lack of oversight and transparency on groundwater pumping has left communities and rural citizens powerless to secure their water supplies.<\/p>\n

Without action by the Arizona Legislature to address this crisis, rural communities will face ever-mounting groundwater challenges as populations grow, out-of-state mega farms move in and persistent drought continues. Fortunately, state leaders \u2013 both Republicans and Democrats \u2013 are now coming forward with legislation to tackle rural groundwater challenges.<\/p>\n

A bill to support a locally driven, basin-by-basin approach\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some legislators are recognizing that a locally driven, basin-by-basin approach that considers a full menu of tools can help chart a new course to resilience and economic prosperity in rural Arizona. To make this approach a reality, though, the full Legislature must take action.<\/p>\n

Rep. Regina Cobb, R-Kingman, recently introduced a bill, HB 2896<\/a>, to support rural communities in creating tailored solutions to meet local water needs.\u00a0The bill has drawn an impressive group of bipartisan co-sponsors: Reps. Leo Biasiucci, Walter Blackman, Isela Blanc, Frank Carroll, Kirsten Engle, Joanne Osborne and Bob Thorpe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Groundwater in Arizona is regulated around Phoenix and Tucson, but unregulated in the rest of the state.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The bill would allow county boards of supervisors to create a rural management area (RMA) for at-risk groundwater basins, set local management goals and develop a management plan, which must be approved by the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. An RMA advisory board, composed of local residents, would be empowered to investigate and recommend solutions to meet locally determined water goals.<\/p>\n

Potential solutions that an RMA may pursue, if approved by the director, include:<\/p>\n