Groundwater regulation weaknesses exploited by industrial-scale agriculture – Arizona Digital Free Press

Investigating Groundwater Depletion in Arizona’s Douglas Basin

By Brendon Derr | Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Elaine Bailey stood at the microphone at the Sunsites Community Center in southeastern Arizona, voice shaking as she described the massive scale of new agricultural development next to her property. The nearby fields have drawn so much water from the surrounding area, she said, that her well has gone dry. 

“Here we are, all these good people fighting for our lives, our homes, our everything,” Bailey said. “Because if the water goes, our homes aren’t worth anything. That’s the reality. And I just don’t understand how the state can even allow it.” 

Introduction

Arizona’s Douglas basin has experienced significant agricultural development in recent years, leading to concerns about groundwater depletion and its impact on local residents and the environment. Despite existing regulations, including the designation of the basin as an Irrigation Non-expansion Area (INA) and an Active Management Area (AMA), the analysis conducted by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting (AZCIR) reveals that thousands of acres of dormant farmland have been reactivated for irrigation, resulting in accelerated groundwater declines. This article examines the loopholes in current regulations and the potential consequences for the aquifer and local communities.

Loopholes in Existing Regulations

1. The INA designation in 1980 limited the expansion of irrigated farmland but allowed existing landowners to continue using groundwater for irrigation. This led to the consolidation of land and water rights by industrial-scale farms, which have intensified irrigation practices like double cropping.
2. A provision in state law allows owners to swap irrigation rights, enabling the conversion of uncultivated corners of fields to new irrigated acres.

Impact on Groundwater Decline

• The increase in pumping, particularly by large-scale farms, has resulted in significant groundwater declines, especially in areas closest to these farms.
• The number of acres using water-intensive practices like double cropping has grown by over 600% since 2008.

Concerns and Challenges

1. Residents argue that some agricultural players are exploiting loopholes and potentially violating regulations, causing water levels in wells to drop and impacting smaller farms and neighboring properties.
2. Existing regulatory tools may not be effective enough to protect the aquifer in the long term, raising questions about the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ ability to safeguard the water supply.
3. The lack of meaningful intervention by the Arizona Legislature has led to growing concerns about similar regulatory shortcomings across the state, with large-scale agriculture benefiting at the expense of local communities.

Future Implications and Alternative Solutions

1. The establishment of an AMA in 2022 aims to limit new expansion of irrigated land and cap groundwater pumping based on recent use. However, some farms rushed to expand operations before the regulation took effect.
2. The Substantial Capital Investment exemption allows landowners to keep existing irrigation rights for undeveloped land, but approval is determined on a case-by-case basis.
3. Residents are frustrated by the lack of action and are seeking alternative solutions, such as designating their basins as INAs, to mitigate groundwater depletion.

Conclusion

The groundwater depletion in Arizona’s Douglas basin highlights the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to protect the aquifer and ensure the sustainability of water resources. The exploitation of regulatory loopholes by industrial-scale agriculture poses significant challenges for local communities and the environment. As the state faces increasing pressure to address the groundwater crisis, it is crucial to prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water management and conservation to achieve a more sustainable future.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. No Poverty

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
• Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
• Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.

15. Life on Land

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
• Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar).

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 1.4: Ensuring equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services.
– Target 6.4: Increasing water-use efficiency and addressing water scarcity.
– Target 15.1: Conserving, restoring, and sustainably using terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
– Target 16.6: Developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land.
– Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.
– Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
– Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: arizonadigitalfreepress.com

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