The Arizona House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water recently green-lit a resolution that could help the state bolster its water resources. The proposal, House Concurrent Memorial 2003 (HCM2003), sponsored by Representative Gail Griffin recommends the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the State Land Department focus on enhancing stormwater and groundwater recharge.
Identifying a total of 331 suitable sites on state trust land, the measure encourages the development of this infrastructure to maximize groundwater recharge capacities. "Local and county officials should push the Governor's Department of Water Resources and State Land Department, to develop these projects within their communities to increase local water supplies," Griffin stated, a sentiment captured in a recent Arizona House of Representatives' legislative release. Yet, Governor Hobbs' budget allocations do not currently earmark funds for these plans, leaving the responsibility to local and county jurisdictions.
Griffin pointed out that Arizona faces a critical challenge with over 95% of the state's rainfall evaporating before it can be absorbed into the aquifers. The representative highlighted, "Increasing the amount of natural recharge by only a few percentage points would increase the amount of local water supplies substantially," according to the press release from the Arizona House of Representatives.
With successful implementation of recharge projects like the Horseshoe Draw Recharge Project in Cochise County, and the Hualapai Flood Control Project in Mohave County, HCM2003 underscores a roadmap for future economic growth in rural Arizona through increased water security. "The solution to unleashing economic prosperity in rural Arizona, through increased water supplies is investing in additional groundwater-stormwater recharge," Representative Griffin added. The passage of HCM2003 would thus serve as legislative backing for strategic water resource investments, as per the Arizona House of Representatives.
Representative Gail Griffin serves Arizona's Legislative District 19, which includes regions of Greenlee, Graham, Cochise, and parts of Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. By chairing the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee, she’s at the forefront of addressing the state's water resource management and guiding such policies through the legislative process.
