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Water awareness for only 20% of water use is a CROCK Re: Governor Napolitano declares April Water Awareness Month There are crocks, and there are cracked CROCKS. Governor Napolitano's recent proclamation declaring April “water awareness” month is about as leaky as any crock can get. Her definition of “water awareness” equates to conservation measures for residential citizens and communities. As if in Arizona this is something new, and residential consumers don't conserve! All of our water companies have conservation programs and send regular reminders in our bills. Water consumption per person is already down. In the proclamation, not a word of “awareness” is mentioned concerning non-residential water users and their conservation. In 1980 when the Feds forced the state legislature to adopt a Groundwater Code in order to get CAP water, Arizona 's overdraft was 2.5 million acre feet per year of groundwater deficit due to agriculture pumping. The Code was a big rip-off as it did nothing to mandate that agriculture uses be gradually diminished until a water balance was achieved—with or without the aid of CAP. Further, it gave freedom to mining companies to pump water in any amount, wherever they wanted—even in supposedly “managed” areas. I wonder what that deficit number is now. No one knows! The most upsetting thing about the notice was when the Arizona Department of Water Resources [ADWR] sent it out, they stated that they were “excited” about this “new” program. This illustrates one of the biggest problems with Arizona water management. It's political. I bet if you surveyed the employees of ADWR, you would find that what would excite them is getting some basic tools to manage water, instead of shuffling paper water—which it turns out the Replenishment District doesn't have enough of—and trying to figure out what we are going to do when we pump the water table down to bedrock or 1,000 feet as mandated by a legislature who think asphalt is a natural resource. They simply won't give ADWR money or tools. We have to get water management out of the hands of the politicians! A good example is our LD 30 state representatives. Senator Bee has given Green Valley nothing but a few promises with a big smile. Rep. McClure had also promised to help, but backed out and threw the ball to Rep. Paton. He waffled around, never answering my phone calls or e-mails, until Rosemont Mining Company had their permit for 6,000 afy, then said there's nothing he could do. If Rosemont Mining Company, aka Augusta Resource wants more water, they can simply fill out a form, and ADWR will get out their rubber stamp. It's not too late to fix that. There are dozens of new potential mines in Arizona —this water loophole needs to be fixed now!! In their Plan of Operations, Rosemont/Augusta lists all the Arizona statues that they are bringing to bear to get all the water they want! And the Governor's proclamation states we citizens are the ones that need to be educated! This is why the local groups that are forming in our region and other areas are so important. We literally have to take water management into our own hands. We have dozens of excellent water experts in our region, many of them work for the local water companies and government agencies. Even so, this pool of expertise and talent is never tapped. Public employees cannot make a public statement or suggestion in regard to water management or policy—for fear of losing their jobs. And we are paying for the “public servant.” Of course, this is a key factor in keeping the management and policy in the hands of legislators who know nothing about water basics: hydrology, water balance or subsidence. How many of them realize the quality of water at 1,000 feet they have mandated by law? What about the cost to pump in an aquifer that is only 30% water at the 1,000 foot level—what lies below 1,000 feet when pump that deep, no one dares to speculate. Please write the Governor and tell her your opinion about her definition of water awareness. Water awareness should mean how much water are the users of 80% of our water supply pumping— agriculture, mining, golf courses, sand and gravel operations, power plants, hotel and other industry— for the entire state and in each “active management area.” This is the water awareness that is relevant! |