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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
San Carlos irrigation project; divestiture
Purpose
Urges the U.S. Congress to divest the United States and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the San Carlos Irrigation Project (SCIP) electric system and to provide funding for a necessary system study and desperately needed improvements to the system.
Background
The SCIP was authorized by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1924 to provide irrigation water to lands on the Gila River Reservation and certain lands adjacent to the reservation. In 1928, Congress authorized development of electrical power at the Coolidge Dam (Dam) for irrigation purposes and sale of excess power. However, the Dam was damaged by severe flooding in 1983 and has not been operational since. The BIA conducted informal studies to evaluate the re-construction of hydropower generation at the Dam, but studies showed there is an insufficient cost-benefit ratio to justify the re-construction primarily because the run-off in the upper Gila River Basin is not reliable to recoup the costs to re-build hydrogeneration at the Dam.
The SCIP employs approximately 100 employees who work to provide electricity to approximately 13,000 residential, commercial, industrial and government customers in Pinal County and parts of Pima, Maricopa, Graham and Gila counties. Its service area spans approximately 2,400 square miles and serves agricultural and rural customers in the Lone Butte industrial park area and large residential populations in the San Carlos, Gila River and Oracle areas. The SCIP is owned and operated by BIA (BIA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. States the Legislature prays that:
a) the U.S. Congress passes legislation divesting the United States and the BIA of the SCIP; and
b) the U.S. Congress provide funding for a necessary system study and desperately needed improvements that will provide the reliable, affordable and safe power that SCIP customers deserve and are entitled to as citizens of the United States and Arizona.
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 Congress from Arizona.
House Action
NREW 2/20/25 DP 8-0-1-1
3rd Read 3/03/25 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2025
SB/slp