Active management area; groundwater right
The proposed changes in HB 2099 are significant as they aim to refine the process of granting groundwater rights, particularly in areas under strict water management regulations. The bill states that individuals who own land capable of irrigation, which has been legally irrigated in the past, are entitled to use groundwater for their agricultural needs. This aspect is crucial for local farmers and agricultural businesses as it provides them with a guaranteed source of water necessary for crop irrigation, helping them sustain their operations amid ongoing concerns regarding groundwater depletion.
House Bill 2099, introduced by Representative Griffin, aims to amend the existing groundwater code under section 45-465 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The bill is primarily focused on the rights of groundwater users in designated active management areas and outlines the criteria under which these rights can be determined and granted. Specifically, it establishes standards for calculating the amount of groundwater that can be used for irrigation by landowners who have historically irrigated their land using groundwater, ensuring that their rights are protected as per the law.
Notably, HB 2099 includes provisions that allow the director of the department of water resources to compute the maximum amount of groundwater available for use by each farm unit based on historical usage. However, this could lead to disputes among users regarding their entitlements, especially if users disagree with the department's calculations. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that this system may result in the reduction of water rights if the irrigation water duty set forth by the director changes, which has raised concerns among stakeholders about potential future restrictions on water use.
Finally, the bill is categorized as an emergency measure, indicating that its immediate enactment is deemed necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, and welfare. This urgency reflects the growing challenges related to water management in Arizona, where water shortages are a pressing concern for both residents and agricultural sectors.