ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2731: Big Chino subbasin; Verde River

Sponsor: Representative Nguyen, LD 1

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Allows water from the Big Chino subbasin to be transported to the headwaters of the Verde River within the Big Chino subbasin.

History

Transportation of Groundwater to Initial AMAs

Unless specifically authorized, groundwater that is withdrawn in a basin or sub-basin located outside an initial active management area (AMA) may not be transported to an initial AMA. Current law identifies four groundwater basins and sub-basins from which groundwater can be withdrawn and transported to an initial AMA. Those basins are: 1) McMullen Valley; 2) Butler Valley; 3) Harquahala INA; and 4) Big Chino sub-basin of the Verde River groundwater basin. Transportation of groundwater from these basins is subject to limitations as outlined in statute (A.R.S. § 45-551).

Transportation of Groundwater from the Big Chino subbasin

Any city or town owning land consisting of historically irrigated acres in the Big Chino Subbasin of the Verde River groundwater basin is permitted to withdraw groundwater for transportation to an adjacent initial active management area. The amount of groundwater is determined by statute. (A.R.S. § 45-555).

Provisions

1. Adds the headwaters of the Verde River within the Big Chino subbasin as a permissible location to transport groundwater withdrawn from historically irrigated acres in the Big Chino subbasin, if that amount of groundwater complies with listed requirements. (Sec 1)

2. Makes technical changes. (Sec 1)

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6. HB 2731

7. Initials CW Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

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