HB 2055
Initials EB/BSR/KK Page 1 Transmitted
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: NREW DP 10-0-0-0|3
rd
Read 56-1-2-0-1
Senate: NREW DP 4-0-3-0|3
rd
Read 29-0-1-0
HB 2055: underground water storage; permitting
Sponsor: Representative Dunn, LD 25
Transmitted to the Governor
Overview
Modifies the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) underground storage facility
permit application timeframes.
History
There are four types of recharge permits that a person may apply for:
1) an Underground Storage Facility Permit that allows a person to operate a facility that
stores water in an aquifer;
2) a Groundwater Savings Facility Permit that allows a person to deliver a renewable
water supply to a recipient who agrees to replace groundwater pumping with in lieu
water;
a Water Storage Permit that allows a person to store water at an underground storage
facility or a groundwater savings facility; and
3) a Recovery Well Permit that allows a person to recover long-term storage credits or to
recover stored water annually (A.R.S. §§ 45-811.01, 45-812.01, 45-831.01, 45-834.01).
In-lieu water is defined as water delivered to a groundwater savings facility pursuant to
permits, used in an active management area (AMA) or an irrigation non-expansion area
(INA) by the recipient on a gallon-for-gallon substitute basis for groundwater that otherwise
would have been pumped from within that AMA or INA (A.R.S. § 45-802.01).
To apply for an Underground Storage Facility Permit, an applicant must submit an
application and applicable fees to the ADWR Director. Within 15 days, the ADWR Director
must provide public notice of the application on ADWR's website and review the application
within 100 days to determine whether the application should be approved or rejected (A.R.S.
§ 45-871.01).
In appropriate cases, the ADWR Director may hold an administrative hearing before making
a decision on the application. The hearing must be scheduled at least 60 days but not more
than 90 days after the expiration of the time in which to file objections. If a hearing is not
held, the ADWR Director must issue a decision and order within 6 months of the date notice
of the application is first given for an underground storage facility permit. The ADWR
Director must record the application and indicate whether it was approved or rejected (A.R.S.
§ 45-871.01).
Provisions
1. Increases, from 100 to 180, the number of days for the ADWR Director to review an
application for an underground storage facility permit. (Sec. 1) HB 2055
Initials EB/BSR/KK Page 2 Transmitted
2. Decreases the number of days the ADWR Director must issue a decision for an
underground storage facility permit from six months to 100 days after the date notice of
an application is first given. (Sec. 1)
3. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note