In an effort to aggressively tackle water scarcity issues, Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) have announced the designation of the Willcox Groundwater Basin as an Active Management Area (AMA), as reported by the Office of the Arizona Governor. This executive move aims to bring under control the unchecked groundwater pumping that's been a thorn in the side of rural Arizonans, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. Tom Buschatzke, the ADWR Director, underscored the need of this measure under the 1980 groundwater protection legislation, expressing his department's commitment to safeguard the future of Arizona's groundwater supplies.
The announcement arrives after increasing concerns from the community. In a statement obtained by the Office of the Arizona Governor, Hobbs voiced her intent to "continue to fight to protect water supplies for all Arizonans," with plans to push for new rural groundwater reform legislation in 2025. The designation promises relief to more than 8,100 individuals and local economies that lean heavily on the Willcox Basin, and aims to prevent further exploitation by large, out-of-state corporations.
States of despair have been a common scene in the region as groundwater levels have dramatically fallen, creating earth fissures and forcing the drilling or deepening of over 1,200 wells in the last 14 years alone. Greg Hancock, the Mayor of Willcox, expressed acknowledgment of these urgent water challenges and showed support for Hobbs in a statement to the Office of the Arizona Governor. Mayoral commitment to ensuring the community’s voice throughout the AMA implementation process has been highlighted, with an emphasis on the balance between community needs and water resource conservation.
Local voices, such as Cochise resident Melanie Lawrence, have welcomed the AMA's institution, with Lawrence stating to the Office of the Arizona Governor, "While the AMA designation gives us hope for a secure water future, I recognize that this is only the first step in creating the framework for the necessary collaboration required to address this issue." Similarly, Willcox winegrower Mark Jorve praised the decision as crucial for stabilizing the aquifer and safeguarding a vital resource. He vividly recounted his vineyard's challenges due to decades of unchecked groundwater pumping, underscoring the AMA's significance.
As the Hobbs administration steers towards a future with regulated water usage, the AMA's impact on local economies and ecosystems will be closely monitored. The state's reliance on groundwater highlights the importance of this action, with the 1980 Groundwater Management Act offering the foundational authority for such significant environmental governance. The Director's decision, and Hobbs' earlier visits to the Willcox basin, signify a concerted effort to respond to the long-standing apprehensions of Arizonans regarding water sustainability and corporate accountability.
