Bill > HB2516

This bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes to establish and define "watershed health uses" for water, which refers to water conserved in natural watercourses that supports the overall health of a watershed as outlined in a report. It mandates the Director of the Department of Water Resources to conduct a comprehensive survey of watershed health every three years, assessing attributes like hydrology, landscape condition, habitat, water quality, and biodiversity, and to publish a preliminary survey by December 31, 2028, with public input, to identify areas with insufficient water for ecological needs and recommend actions for improvement. The bill also clarifies that instream flow applications for watershed health uses are exempt from certain data submission requirements and allows for the transfer of water rights for watershed health purposes, subject to specific approvals and limitations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84302