Board adopts Position of support on five pieces of proposed Arizona state legislation

The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board of Directors (CAWCD) convened today for its February 2020 meeting. The meeting began with a presentation on the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association’s (AMWUA’s) 50^th anniversary by Gilbert Councilmember Eddie Cook, AMWUA board president.

During the Public Policy Committee report, the Board adopted a Position of Support on several pieces of proposed Arizona state legislation:

• HB2101 – appropriating $1 million to the Arizona Water Protection Fund
• HB2617/SB1145 – modifying the requirements for an irrigation district to qualify for funding from the Temporary Groundwater and Irrigation Efficiency Projects Fund (established as part of the DCP package), so the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District is eligible to receive funds
• HB2618 and SB1494 – continuing the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) for eight years
• HB2677 – modifying how the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) reserve targets are calculated for Active Management Areas within the CAWCD service area by conforming to how it was calculated in the 2015 CAGRD Plan of Operation
• HR2003 – designating April 12-18, 2020 as Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation Week

In addition, the Board adopted a Position of Monitor for:

• HCM2004 – urging the Secretary of the Interior to take all necessary measures to operate the Yuma Desalting Plant

The Board also approved a professional services contract for the System Use Agreement Feasibility Study, Phase 1.

CAP staff members provided updates on:

• Collection of Fixed OM&R Costs for System Conservation
• Colorado River Conditions
• Update on Snowpack Augmentation Research and Verification
• Review of Colorado River Modeling

The CAWCD Board of Directors is a popularly elected, 15-member board. Ten members are from Maricopa County, four from Pima County and one from Pinal. Members serve six-year, unpaid terms. The board typically meets publicly the first Thursday of each month to establish policy and set rates and taxes for CAP.

For additional details on the February board meeting, take a look at the agenda and packet. Board minutes and videos will be posted here.