Ducey firm in belief cotton farming should continue in desert
Gov. Doug Ducey said Friday he sees no reason for farmers to give up growing cotton in the desert, even with the ongoing drought situation.
Democrats: Water plan missing conservation requirement
House Democrats are balking at ratifying a proposed drought contingency plan over what they see as a key missing element.
Governor’s Office immersed in drought talks, water policy do-over
The governor and his staff are playing an integral role in bringing Arizona water interests together to reach an internal state agreement on the drought-contingency plan.
Arizona maintains remote ‘catchments’ for thirsty wildlife
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been building, expanding and maintaining catchments since the 1940s, now spending thousands each year to ensure healthy wildlife populations – part of the department’s mission – even in the toughest Arizona conditions.
Cheap water, not lax regulation, at core of Arizona shortage
The recent New York Times article, “The Water Wars of Arizona,” goes into detail about Arizona’s diminishing water resources and blames the problem entirely on “lax regulation,” which, the author says, has enticed large corporate farms to come and suck up all the water. I’m sure they have. But “lax regulation” doesn’t come close to getting to the heart of the problem: water is to[...]
Now is the time to prepare for the dry times ahead
Here in Arizona, we don’t need the federal government to remind us that the Southwest is in an extreme drought.
Water conservation efforts avert shortage – for now
In the 24-month report released by the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 2016, the bureau predicted a more than 50 percent chance of a water shortage in 2018. This August, the Bureau of Reclamation report reduced that projection to zero.
Governor’s Office proposes major rewrite of water laws
Gov. Doug Ducey’s office is pushing for a spate of changes aimed at altering water laws, from groundwater rules to audits of another public body.
Additional funds to help Arizona conserve water supply
The state’s water department got additional funds to help stave off cuts to Arizona’s water supply from the Colorado River and hire more people in next year’s budget.
Collaborating to protect Lake Mead
We avoided shortage in 2016 due to our collective efforts to conserve water in Lake Mead and a fortuitous boost from Mother Nature’s precipitation--the so-called “Miracle May." However, the drought continues.
With Lake Mead water levels down, water conservation needed
The Arizona drought is affecting businesses and homeowners, who are urged to take measures to save water.
Sen. Jeff Flake: States should determine primary responses to drought
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, said he believes there is a chance the U.S. Congress will move forward with legislation addressing drought in the West, but any federal response to water shortages must not overrule state policies or rely on federal funding.