Earlier today (December 20, 2024,, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) issued a press release that declared the need to adopt active management practices with regard to the Willcox Basin groundwater supply.
According to the release, active management practices are triggered when:
- It is “necessary to preserve the existing supply of groundwater – the area’s only dependable water source – for future needs.”
- “Land subsidence or fissuring is endangering property or potential groundwater storage capacity.”
ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke wrote in his office’s press release:
“This decision by me goes to the heart of our State’s landmark 1980 groundwater protection legislation which invests in the ADWR Director the duty to take necessary steps to defend our groundwater supplies for future generations. As my staff has made clear in public hearings held in Willcox and in response to comments on our presentations from members of the public, the hydrologic conditions in the basin meet the statutory requirements.”
Commenting in a Gubernatorial Press Release, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs stated:
“Rural communities deserve to have their groundwater protected, and today’s action is a critical milestone for the people of southeastern Arizona. For too long politicians have buried their heads in the sand, refused to take action, and caved to out-of-state special interests profiting off Arizona’s water.”
“I’ve heard from families, farmers, and businesses who have experienced the devastating impacts of unchecked pumping by unaccountable, big corporations. Their wells are running dry, their homes are damaged by fissures in the earth, and their farms are barely able to get by. This newly designated AMA at the Willcox Basin will bring much-needed relief to Arizonans and protect their water for generations to come. Since day one as Governor, I have fought to secure Arizona’s water future. I am making good on that promise. I will continue to fight to protect water supplies for all Arizonans, including pushing for new rural groundwater reform legislation in 2025.”
The Governor, who has had a busy week calling for Arizona School Superintendent Tom Horne to reverse his position on processing with no questions asked Empowerment Scholarship reimbursements under $2000 and advocating for the state to get out of reporting on women exercising their reproductive freedom options, made several posts on social media after today’s press release, including:
Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan issued a joint press release with State Representative Christopher Mathis.
Both represent residents from Arizona’s Legislative District (LD) 18.
Senator Sundareshan relayed:
“Democrats are committed to continuing our work to provide policy options best suited to protect rural Arizona’s long-term water future, but this AMA designation will provide much-needed protections under existing state law. Designating this AMA brings water conservation and groundwater well protection measures to the Willcox basin. I am confident this is a strong step in the right direction as we negotiate to provide the entire state with sound bipartisan water policy in the new year.”
Representative Mathis offered:
“The impacts of severe groundwater depletion in rural Arizona can no longer be ignored. For the sake of the residents, farmers, and other stakeholders in the Willcox Basin pleading for our help, we must step up. I applaud Governor Hobbs and ADWR for their continued strong leadership with this historic AMA designation to protect our state’s water security. At the same time, we must continue to work toward bipartisan groundwater management reform legislation to provide rural areas additional, locally driven tools to preserve and protect our precious water resources for future generations.”
Incoming Democratic House Leader Oscar De Los Santos posted:
“HUGE: For decades, special interests & greedy profiteers have been siphoning our water & screwing over working families. Gov. Hobbs just took the boldest executive action in modern AZ history to put a stop to the corruption.
BIG win for rural AZ. BIG win for AZ water.”
In the press release from the Governor’s office, Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock said:
“Our community is facing difficult decisions as Arizona moves forward with an Active Management Area for the Willcox Basin. While there are a range of views on the AMA, the urgency of addressing our water challenges cannot be overstated. Governor Hobbs has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting Arizona’s precious water resources. We recognize the perspectives many residents and stakeholders have raised, and we are committed to ensuring that our community’s voice is heard throughout this process. Our focus remains on securing a sustainable future for our water supply and ensuring the long-term economic vitality of our region. We will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to seek solutions that balance our community’s needs and the preservation of our vital water resources.”
Winegrower Mark Jorve asserted:
“Thank you Director Buschatzke for making this vitally important and courageous decision to designate an AMA in the Willcox Basin. Our vineyard, in the heart of the Willcox grape growing region, has experienced a dramatic decline in the water level due to decades of unchecked groundwater pumping. This AMA is a crucial step towards stabilizing the aquifer and protecting this precious resource, the water that we all depend on in this valley.”
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