For Star subscribers: An activist group has turned in petition signatures to force a vote on bringing state regulation of groundwater pumping to the Willcox Basin southeast of Tucson, where wells have been running dry.
1 of 4 Ralph Score, who lives west of Sunsites in the Willcox Basin, checks the water level in his home storage tank. He has 1,200 gallons of water hauled in every six weeks.
Tony Davis Nearly eight years ago, Ralph Score of eastern Cochise County was watering his trees when the water stopped pouring from his hose. He walked inside, turned on a faucet and only a trickle came out. The Cochise County elections and recorder's offices will review the signatures to determine their validity.
Others are more wary, fearful that controls over agricultural pumping will ultimately put many farmers out of business — a fear that a leading supporter of the proposal dismisses as nonsense. Rural Arizona was largely untouched by the groundwater law. But the law did allow the Arizona Department of Water Resources and voters in rural counties to create such management areas under certain circumstances.
The study didn't look at how many wells have dried up but anecdotal accounts have placed it at at least 100. But the lack of an alternative water supply is one reason Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, who says she's neutral on the management area issue, believes many farmers will be opposed. That's also why she is concerned about possible economic impacts.
"It will be a challenge to carry out the AMA because the only way we can cut back our water use is through agriculture.Hauling water to homes Ralph Score has lived in the Willcox Basin since 1999, in what's known as the Stronghold area, lying about 3.5 miles south of U.S. 191.After it went dry, two efforts by different parties to revive it failed. He couldn't deepen the well further for technical reasons related to the size of its piping and other infrastructure.
It"sucks" having to haul the water, said Edington, but he chose to live in that house because his grandparents had lived there. As the owner of a tree trimming and removal service for a year, he said he can't afford to drill a new well now, although"I will someday be able to afford it" after his business gets further along.
Having watched groundwater levels fall significantly in both states, he said he fully understands the need for regulation. But he said he doesn't know what stance he'll take on an Active Management Area in the Arizona basins. "I have 20 employees. If it only restricts new pumping, I'm all for it. If it means you use 2 acre-feet when I need 4 acre-feet I’m going to oppose it. With no surface water here, I’m going to have to fire a lot of people and restructure my organization."
Would ban new irrigationThe basin's biggest employer and water user by far, Minnesota-based Riverview LLP, which owns two major dairies in the area, is staying neutral on the Active Management Area issue, said company spokesman Kevin Wulf. He didn't respond to a request from the Star to elaborate on that viewpoint.
"Well, there’s no way to augment the water in the Sulphur Springs Valley, so that's probably not the right tool to fix the problem," Searle said."It will address the problem. Depending on what the goals are for an AMA, sooner or later it will have to be brought to sustainability, or a lot of water will have to be turned off."
"We could be jumping to conclusions. But ultimately that could happen. It may not be 2 years from now. It may be 5 years from now or 10 years from now. But ultimately it could happen." "These folks are hurting down there. The state, the government has done nothing for them," Ferris said."They are trying to take matters into their own hands and get some limits on groundwater pumping down there."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Small business in Granger opens its doors for tornado victimsGranger residents are now cleaning up debris after tornadoes swept through the area Monday evening.
Read more »
FAQ: Behind on Rent? Apply for Rent Relief Before March 31 DeadlineResidents who are behind on rent or utility payments due to COVID-19 related hardships who make 80% or less of the median income for the area can apply for rent relief.
Read more »
Hiland Road avalanche leaves trapped area residents figuring out what to do nextResidents living in the Eagle River area impacted by the avalanche on Hiland Road have spent the day thinking about what’s next as they wait for crews to clear the massive roadblock and restore power to the area.
Read more »
San Clemente peeping Tom arrested after years of reported sightingsGeovani Carvallo Fierro was arrested Wednesday after turning himself into authorities. Residents had previously complained of a peeping Tom in the area for years.
Read more »
Five voting centers open Saturday for 80th Assembly District Special Election | KPBS Public MediaFive new voting centers will open Saturday for residents looking to cast their ballots in-person in the 80th Assembly District Special Primary Election.
Read more »
Five Voting Centers Open Saturday for 80th Assembly District Special ElectionFive new voting centers will open Saturday for residents looking to cast their ballots in person in the 80th Assembly District Special Primary Election.
Read more »