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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
San Carlos irrigation project; divestiture
Purpose
Urges the U.S. Congress to divest the United States and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the San Carlos Irrigation Project (SCIP) electric system and to provide funding for a necessary system study and desperately needed improvements to the system.
Background
The SCIP was authorized by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1924 to provide
irrigation water to lands on the Gila River Reservation and certain lands
adjacent to the reservation. In 1928, Congress authorized development of
electrical power at Coolidge Dam (Dam) for irrigation purposes and the sale of
excess power. However, the Dam was damaged by severe flooding in 1983 and has
not been operational since. The BIA conducted informal studies to evaluate the
re-construction of hydropower generation at the Dam, but studies showed there
is an insufficient cost-benefit ratio to justify the re-construction.
The SCIP is overseen by the BIA and employs approximately 100 employees who work to provide electricity to approximately 13,000 residential, commercial, industrial and government customers in Pinal County and parts of Pima, Maricopa, Graham and Gila counties. Its service area spans approximately 2,400 square miles and serves agricultural and rural customers in the Lone Butte Industrial Park area and large residential populations in the San Carlos, Gila River and Oracle area. The BIA must rely on customer collections, not congressional appropriations, for operation and maintenance (BIA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation divesting the United States and the BIA of the SCIP electric system.
2. Urges the U.S. Congress to provide funding for a necessary system study and desperately needed improvements that will provide the reliable, affordable and safe power that SCIP customers deserve and are entitled to as citizens of the United States and Arizona.
3. Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a copy of the memorial to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each member of Congress from Arizona.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2026
SB/SF/hk