Bill > SB1389

This bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 45-412 to change the requirement for the director of water resources regarding the designation of subsequent active management areas, which are areas not already part of an initial active management area. Previously, the director *may* designate such an area if certain conditions were met, but now the director *shall* designate it if any of the following exist: active management practices are needed to protect future groundwater supply, land subsidence (sinking) or fissuring is harming property or the ability to store groundwater, or groundwater use is causing or threatening to cause water quality to worsen. The bill also clarifies that these subsequent active management areas can encompass multiple groundwater basins but cannot be smaller than a basin or only a part of one, with an exception for the regional aquifer systems in northern Arizona. Additionally, the director is now required to regularly review areas outside of active management areas to see if they meet the criteria for becoming one.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84942