Report on Arizona’s New Groundwater Conservation Legislation and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

On June 30, Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1611 into law, a legislative measure aimed at conserving groundwater in central Arizona by allowing farmers to sell their land and associated groundwater rights to developers. This law is expected to support sustainable urban growth, job creation, and affordable housing development, while preserving the state’s limited water resources.

Key Objectives of the Legislation

• Conserve groundwater resources in Arizona’s Phoenix and Pinal Active Management Areas (AMAs).
• Enable continued urban growth and homebuilding in key regions.
• Create employment opportunities and reduce housing costs.
• Address water scarcity challenges intensified by drought and climate change.

Context and Background

1. In 2023, a moratorium was imposed on issuing new 100-year assured water supply certificates in the Phoenix and Pinal AMAs due to insufficient groundwater availability.
2. This moratorium halted new housing developments in several suburban areas reliant on groundwater, including Buckeye and Queen Creek.
3. Arizona faces reductions in Colorado River water allocations, exacerbated by long-term drought and climate change impacts.
4. The legislation initially applies to Phoenix and Pinal AMAs, with potential expansion to Tucson AMA if similar moratoriums are enacted.

Legislative Process and Bipartisan Support

• The bill passed the Senate with a 26-4 vote and the House with a 35-20 bipartisan vote.
• Governor Hobbs collaborated with Republican lawmakers, including Senator T.J. Shope, to refine the bill after a previous veto.
• The law reflects nearly two years of negotiations among legislators, stakeholders, water experts, and community leaders.

Groundwater Management Provisions

• Pumping limits are set at 1.5 acre-feet per acre per year in the Phoenix AMA and 1 acre-foot per acre per year in the Pinal AMA.
• Current groundwater use by farms is approximately three times these limits.
• One acre-foot equals roughly 326,000 gallons, sufficient to supply water for three homes.
• New developments must be within one mile of the farmland from which water rights are retired.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Concerns

Supporters

• Governor Hobbs emphasized the law as a historic achievement in water conservation and sustainable growth.
• Senator Shope highlighted the law’s potential to lower home prices and provide financial options for retiring farmers.
• Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan noted the inclusion of safeguards to ensure groundwater savings over the next century.

Critics

• Some lawmakers, including Representative Chris Mathis, expressed concerns about increased groundwater replenishment obligations on the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD), which is already fully subscribed.
• Criticism was raised regarding the exclusion of rural areas like Cochise and Mohave counties from new groundwater rules.
• Homebuilders expressed concerns about the low pumping allocations potentially limiting development density and affordability.
• Limitations on eligible land for development due to proximity requirements may restrict the program’s impact in certain desert areas.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The legislation promotes sustainable water management by conserving groundwater and reducing over-extraction.
   • It supports replenishment efforts to maintain aquifer health.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Encourages responsible urban growth with consideration for water resource limitations.
   • Facilitates affordable housing development through water rights transfers.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Limits water use in agriculture, promoting efficient resource consumption.
   • Supports transition of farmland to urban use in a controlled, sustainable manner.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Addresses climate change impacts by adapting water management policies to drought conditions.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Encourages sustainable land use changes that consider environmental impacts.

Conclusion

Arizona’s new Ag-to-Urban groundwater conservation law represents a significant step toward sustainable water resource management aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. While it has garnered bipartisan support and promises to balance growth with conservation, ongoing monitoring and adjustments will be necessary to address stakeholder concerns and ensure long-term groundwater sustainability across the state.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses on groundwater conservation and sustainable water management in Arizona, directly relating to SDG 6 which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The legislation aims to support homebuilding in Phoenix and Pinal County while conserving water resources, aligning with SDG 11’s goal to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • By limiting groundwater pumping and encouraging efficient use of water resources, the article touches on sustainable consumption and production patterns under SDG 12.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article mentions long-term drought and climate change affecting water availability, connecting to SDG 13 which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Conservation of groundwater and managing agricultural land use impacts biodiversity and land ecosystems, relevant to SDG 15.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
   • Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Groundwater Pumping Limits
   • Indicator related to SDG 6.4: Volume of groundwater extracted per acre (e.g., 1.5 acre-feet per acre per year in Phoenix AMA and 1 acre-foot in Pinal AMA).
2. Water Supply and Usage Metrics
   • Indicator for SDG 6.5: Number of new certificates of 100-year assured water supplies issued or moratorium status in active management areas.
3. Land Conversion and Development
   • Indicator for SDG 11.3 and 15.1: Acres of farmland converted to urban use under the Ag-to-Urban program.
4. Water Replenishment Obligations
   • Indicator related to SDG 6.4 and 12.2: Amount of water replenished by the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) to offset groundwater use.
5. Water Conservation Over Time
   • Indicator implied by SDG 13.1: Long-term groundwater savings and reduction in water use over the next 100 years as projected by the legislation’s guardrails.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: azcapitoltimes.com