The proposed law empowers county boards of supervisors to designate specific groundwater basins or subbasins as Rural Management Areas, allowing for localized management tailored to the unique conditions of each area. This provision requires counties to adopt resolutions that include public notifications and allow for community input before a designation, ensuring that stakeholder voices, including agricultural and industrial water users, are considered. Moreover, the Rural Management Area advisory councils will play a crucial role in developing management plans to stabilize groundwater levels and sustain base flows in connected surface waters, potentially transforming how local water resources are governed.
SB1551 introduces a new framework for managing groundwater resources in Arizona's rural areas by establishing 'Rural Management Areas.' This legislation amends Title 45 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to set forth a systematic assessment and designation process whereby counties can identify and manage groundwater basins exhibiting signs of overuse or declining water levels. The bill mandates a five-year assessment cycle to evaluate the conditions of basins not currently under an active management area, aiming to ensure sustainable groundwater use and to prevent over-extraction, which is crucial as the state confronts growing water demands due to population growth and climate change.
While the bill has the potential to significantly improve groundwater management and conservation efforts, it may face opposition from stakeholders who perceive it as an encroachment on local autonomy or agricultural practices. There are concerns about the adequacy of groundwater resources and the potential for imposed restrictions, such as limitations on groundwater pumping or moratoriums on new well drilling. The requirement for counties to provide matching funds for initiatives supported by the Rural Management Area fund may also pose financial challenges, particularly for smaller counties, affecting their ability to implement the necessary measures to comply with the legislation.