NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION

EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT BACKGROUND SUMMARY

 

 

NOMINEE:   Maureen Rose George

 

POSITION:   Arizona Water Banking Authority, Member (Entities in Counties) 

 

REPLACING:  Re-appointed          

 

APPOINTING GOVERNOR: Janice K. Brewer   

 

DATE OF APPOINTMENT: March 17, 2009

 

TERM ENDS: January 19, 2015

 

FUNCTION OF THE Arizona Water Banking Authority:

The Arizona Water Banking Authority (Authority) was established in 1996 by the Legislature to fully utilize Arizona’s Colorado River entitlement and to provide a mechanism to store Central Arizona Project (CAP) water that would be otherwise unused. The Arizona Water Banking Authority Commission (Commission) is required by statute to execute the purpose, powers, and duties of the Authority.  Among its requirements, the Commission must determine, on an annual basis, the quantity of Colorado River water to be stored, as well as the location of the storage.  The Authority, through its Commission, is also responsible for firming water for Indian tribes in Arizona during times of shortage, and is authorized to enter into interstate banking agreements

 

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION:

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2421, members of the Commission must be residents of Arizona. Members are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms, and include a representative knowledgeable in water resource management, a representative of an entity adjacent to the mainstream of the Colorado River that holds a contract for the diversion and beneficial consumptive use of Colorado River water and a representative of an entity that holds a CAP municipal and industrial subcontract. Other members include the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) who serves as chairperson of the Authority, the President of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), a nonvoting ex-officio member appointed by the Senate President and a nonvoting ex-officio member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

 

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP AND TERM EXPIRATIONS:

The Honorable Robert Burns              President of the State Senate (Ex-officio)

The Honorable Kirk Adams                Speaker of the House of Representatives (Ex-officio)

Herb Guenther                                                Director of the ADWR

Lisa Atkins                                          Designee of the CAWCD President

John Mawhinney                                 January 19, 2009

Maureen R. George                             January 19, 2009

Tom Buschatzke                                 January 19, 2015

 

 

 

SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION:

Members appointed by the Governor serve without compensation but are eligible for reimbursement for expenses from the Arizona Water Banking Fund.

 

BUDGET AND FTES:       

Although it may receive state General Fund monies, the Arizona Water Banking Fund (Fund) primarily operates on other sources of revenue.  The Fund last received state General Fund monies in 2006. The Fund operates on fees associated with the purchase, lease, storage and delivery of Colorado River water to municipalities and industrial water users within the Phoenix, Pinal and Tucson Active Management Areas.  In addition, the Fund may receive a portion of the four percent property tax collected by the CAWCD in order to pay for water storage, as well as any payments made pursuant to an interstate banking agreement with Nevada.   The Commission has 3.5 FTE positions, with one current vacancy.

 

NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:

Arizona State University, Advanced Public Executive Program

University of Arizona, Juris Doctor

Loyola University of Chicago, BA Honors, Political Science

 

Employment:

President, Law Offices of Maureen George: 2005 – Present

                        General Council, Mohave County Water Authority: 2005 – Present

City Attorney, Lake Havasu City: 1992 – 2005

City Attorney, City of Chandler: 1987 – 1991

Associate, Bill Stephens & Associates: 1986 – 1987

Assistant City Attorney, City of Phoenix: 1986

City Attorney’s Office, City of Yuma: 1977 – 1986

 

Other Qualifications:

Arizona Water Banking Authority: 2003 – Present

                        Vice Chairman: 2007 – 2008

Arizona Water Institute Advisory Board Member: 2006 – Present

Statewide Water Advisory Group, Member: 2006 – Present

Colorado River Water Users Association, Member: 2005 – Present

Arizona Water Banking Authority, Member: 2003 – Present

Governor’s Colorado River Advisory Council, Member: 2003 – Present

Mohave/La Paz County DES Human Rights Committee: 2000 – 2002

Nautilus Elementary School Site Council: 1994 – 1996 and 2002 – 2003

National Institute of Municipal Officers, Regional Vice President: 1980 – 1986

Arizona State Chairperson: 1991; Vice Chair – Health and Environment Section: 1983

Mohave County Water Authority, Secretary/Treasurer: 1995 – 2005

Arizona City Attorneys Association, President: 1979 – 1980 and 1982 – 1983

State Bar of Illinois: 1977

State Bar of Arizona: 1976

Clean Colorado River Alliance

 

Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee

April 30, 2009