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> NOW: water district; upper san pedro
Water--Stream Flow:
NOW: water district; upper san pedro
Our Position: support, with concerns
Bill Number: HB2300
Sponsor: J. Burns
Legislative Session: 2007 Legislative Session
 It authorizes the formation of an Upper San Pedro Water District, Board of Directors and transaction privilege tax (sales tax) authority on the sale of water in the District. The district and any tax must be approved by the voters in the area. The key provision in the bill is that the goal of the district. The bill states, “The purpose and goal of the district are to maintain the aquifer and base flow conditions needed to sustain the upper San Pedro river and to assist in meeting the water supply needs and water conservation requirements for Fort Huachuca and the communities within the district.” The reason this is so important is that it establishes protections of the river’s base flows – the flows that sustain the riparian vegetation and what keeps the river flowing during the driest times of the year. It also makes clear the connection between ground and surface water – something that is acknowledged by nature, but not in our laws. The bill also further defines water adequacy for development to include protection of river flows and would not allow dry lot subdivisions in the district. While there are aspects of the bill we find problematic, we are supporting this small step forward. Additional actions will be needed to protect the river, however.
Status
Action Needed
To contact the Governor click on Governor Napolitano.
More information
Click on HB2300 to see the bill status and the bill summaries.
Contact
Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org
Background
Arizona's rivers and streams are increasingly threatened by development in the state. As Arizonans look for new and better sources of water to fuel the rapid growth, rivers and riparian systems often take a backseat to demands for increased supply. The Arizona Legislature has been negligent in stepping up to protect these import resources.
Urban sprawl and overdevelopment has threatened fragile water-based ecosystems, and very little is being done to safeguard these important resources.
The usage of the Upper San Pedro Groundwater Basin has become the flashpoint for what could be statewide water reform. Located in southeastern Arizona, (about 50 miles southeast of Tucson) the watershed has an area of approximately 7,600 square kilometers, of which substantially more than half is located within Arizona. The water is used for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes, but by far the largest water expenditure in the region is Fort Huachuca, a military testing ground for military-grade electronic equipment. Concerns have been raised about the water supply to the Fort and the surrounding cities, thus prompting this legislation.
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