 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
appropriation; Mohave wash recharge basin
Purpose
Appropriates $4,371,100 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2024 to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to distribute to Mohave County to design and construct the Mohave Wash Recharge Basin.
Background
Hualapai Valley Irrigation Non-Expansion Area
The Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) may designate an area which is not included within an active management area (AMA) as a subsequent irrigation non-expansion area (INA) if the director determines that: 1) there is insufficient groundwater to provide a reasonably safe supply for irrigation of the cultivated lands in the area at the current rates of withdrawal; and 2) the establishment of an AMA is not necessary. Only acres of land in a subsequent INA that were irrigated at any time during the five years preceding the date of the notice of the initiation of designation procedures for the INA may be irrigated with groundwater, effluent, diffused water on the surface or surface water (A.R.S. §§ 45-432 and 45-437). The Director of ADWR designated the Hualapai Valley Groundwater Basin in Mohave County as an INA on December 19, 2022 (ADWR).
County Flood Control Districts
Each county must organize a county flood control district to include and govern its area of jurisdiction. A county flood control district may: 1) construct, operate and maintain artificial groundwater recharge facilities; and 2) acquire real property by purchase, donation, dedication, exchange or other lawful means, except by eminent domain, in areas suitable for groundwater recharge projects (A.R.S. §§ 48-3602 and 48-3603).
Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority administers five funds, including the Water Supply Development Fund, the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund and the Water Conservation Grant Fund, from which monies may be used for water supply development or programs or projects to promote groundwater recharge and improved aquifer health. Water supply development includes planning, designing, building or developing water-related facilities, including any environmental or other reviews, permits or plans reasonably necessary for those facilities, for replenishment of groundwater and active or passive stormwater recharge structures that increase water supplies (A.R.S. §§ 49-1201; 49-1273; 49-1303; and 49-1332).
H.B. 2763 appropriates $4,371,100 from the state GF in FY 2024 to ADOT.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $4,371,100 from the state GF in FY 2024 to ADOT to distribute to Mohave County to design and construct the Mohave Wash Recharge Basin.
2. States that the Legislature intends that Mohave County contribute $485,676 to the design and construction of the Mohave Wash Recharge Basin.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/14/23 DP 10-0-0-0
APPROP 2/20/23 DP 15-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/28/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 28, 2023
RA/FB/slp