PHOENIX — Following the introduction of a number of bills by state Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson, that would strip Arizona Department of Water Resources of funding and authority, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced she’s working with a bi-partisan group of legislators on bills that would protect the state agency and protect the state’s water.
Hobbs describes the Rural Groundwater Management Act as a “flexible, locally-driven framework . . . that will improve groundwater conditions and protect water for Arizona families. It is designed to serve as an alternative to Active Management Areas and Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas.”
Similar bills were introduced in 2019 but failed to get hearings in the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee.
The bills have the support of Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock. The Willcox Basin was recently declared an Active Management Area due to the overuse of water by a small group of users. An AMA regulates the access and withdrawal of groundwater, as well as sets conservation measures and monitors impact from wells.
In addition to Willcox, the basin includes Pearce, Sunsites and Dragoon in Cochise County; and Bonita and Sunset in Graham County.
“The proposed Rural Groundwater Management Act offers a strong framework and provides a foundation to build upon, allowing us to reach a compromise and move forward with future water legislation, hopefully in 2025. Water is not a partisan issue — it’s a community issue. I urge all legislators to work collaboratively with Governor Hobbs to find a solution,” Hancock said.
In 2022, voters in the Willcox and Bonita areas voted against declaration of an AMA for the Willcox Basin by an almost two-to-one margin, with 2,443 votes against the AMA and 1,461 in favor.
