Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Takes Bold Action Against Water Law Violations in Rio Verde FoothillsIn a decisive move to confront the pressing wa...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
In a decisive move to confront the pressing water challenges in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs this week marshaled her administration's resources, signaling a tangible step towards the stabilization of water resources. An order issued by the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) on Monday commanded a stop to the actions of a development group that stood accused of circumventing the state's water provision laws for financial gain. As reported by the Arizona Republic, two entities helmed by Andrei Polukhtin—2PHDS and Morning Vista Homes—were identified as the culprits behind "wildcat" subdivisions in Rio Verde Foothills.
Further reinforcing Hobbs' initiative, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) began proceedings on Wednesday to establish an Active Management Area (AMA) for the Willcox Basin, a region witnessing rapid depletion of its groundwater. "This announcement of a potential AMA is a new beginning for the Willcox Basin," Ed Curry, a local farmer, acclaimed the efforts, as recorded by the Governor's office. The creation of an AMA promises restrictions on extensive irrigation and limits on large agricultural entries moving to the area. According to Arizona Agenda, it marks a historical first for the state and establishes a firm precedent in the handling of rural groundwater management by the Hobbs administration.
Communities that have weathered the consequences of longstanding legislative inaction are now witnessing the rumblings of change. Facing a dried-up well in 2020, Vance Williams of Sunizona expressed his gratitude, stating in the Arizona Daily Star, "The AMA will stop any new large agricultural operations from moving into our area while also putting a halt to expansion of existing irrigation." It's a sentiment echoed across the affected populace, relaying a collective sense of hope and relief at the administration's interventions.
Addressing the Rio Verde Foothills situation, where residents suffered a water cutoff last year, the Governor remained unequivocal about the need for legislative action to close loopholes exploited by wildcat subdivisions. Yet with the legislature falling short, agencies like ADRE and ADWR are stepping into the breach with the tools at their command. In the words of Mike Laws, Mayor of Willcox sharing his perspective with the Governor's office, "Governor Hobbs has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting Arizona’s water resources, and with no legislative solutions in place, the Governor and Arizona Department of Water Resources have acted with the tools available to them.”
Attached link
https://hoodline.com/2024/10/arizona-governor-katie-hobbs-takes-bold-action-against-water-law-violations-in-rio-verde-foothills/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=Hoodline/magazine/HoodlineTaxonomy
- Water Lawyer
- Law Firm
- Water Law
- Law