FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2024
PHOENIX – Legislative Democrats closely involved in Arizona's ongoing groundwater management negotiations spoke out in support of today's designation of an Active Management Area in the Willcox Basin to address severe and worsening groundwater depletion. Senator Priya Sundareshan and Representative Christopher Mathis released the following statements after Governor Hobbs announced today that the Arizona Department of Water Resources designated an AMA to address over-pumping and increasing land subsidence and fissures that threaten safety and property throughout the region. Sundareshan and Mathis, both of Tucson, are the current ranking Democratic members of the Senate and House Natural Resources Energy and Water committees.
Sen. Sundareshan: “Democrats are committed to continuing our work to provide policy options best suited to protect rural Arizona’s long-term water future, but this AMA designation will provide much-needed protections under existing state law. Designating this AMA brings water conservation and groundwater well protection measures to the Willcox basin. I am confident this is a strong step in the right direction as we negotiate to provide the entire state with sound bipartisan water policy in the new year.”
Rep. Mathis: "The impacts of severe groundwater depletion in rural Arizona can no longer be ignored. For the sake of the residents, farmers and other stakeholders in the Willcox Basin pleading for our help, we must step up. I applaud Governor Hobbs and ADWR for their continued strong leadership with this historic AMA designation to protect our state's water security. At the same time, we must continue to work toward bipartisan groundwater management reform legislation to provide rural areas additional, locally driven tools to preserve and protect our precious water resources for future generations."
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