Bill > SB1386

This bill amends Arizona law to establish a framework for assessing and promoting watershed health. It introduces the concept of "watershed health uses" for water that is conserved in natural watercourses and not otherwise used, contributing to the overall health of a watershed. The bill mandates that the Director of Water Resources will conduct a survey and issue a report every three years assessing the overall health of each watershed in Arizona, based on factors like hydrology, landscape condition, habitat, water quality, and biological condition, as well as threats to the watershed. This assessment will be used to inform water management decisions and potentially lead to statutory changes to support ecological water needs. The bill also clarifies definitions related to groundwater and riparian areas, and allows for "watershed health uses" to be considered in water appropriation and transfer processes, while also exempting these uses from certain instream flow application requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84939