 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
reserved water rights; exclusion
Purpose
Urges the U.S. Congress to require that any new federally designated areas in Arizona not include any federal reserved water right that prevents Arizona from comprehensively managing state water resources.
Background
According to federal reserved water rights, the United States government can reserve the amount of water needed for reservation purposes, including groundwater and surface water. The U.S. Congress or the President of the United States (U.S. President) can withdraw public lands for a specific federal purpose and reserve water in a sufficient quantity to meet the purposes for designation (U.S. Bureau of Land Management Water Rights Manual).
The 1964 Wilderness Act designates all areas within national forests classified in 1965 by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (U.S. Secretary) or the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service as wilderness, wild or canoe as wilderness areas (P.L. 88-577). The U.S. Secretary must review and report findings of wilderness areas to the U.S. President. The U.S. President advises the U.S. Congress on recommendations with respect to the designation of a wilderness area. Each recommendation of a U.S. President for the designation of a wilderness area becomes effective upon an act of the U.S. Congress.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Urges the U.S. Congress to take steps to require that any new federal areas designated within Arizona not include any federal reserved water right that prevents the state from comprehensively managing state water resources.
2. Directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each member of the U.S. Congress from Arizona.
House Action
NREW 2/19/19 DPA 8-4-0-1
3rd Read 3/4/19 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 12, 2019
KN/LD/kja