Hobbs Rejects Groundwater Management Bill, Impacting Local Control in Douglas

By Jonathan Eberle |

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a significant piece of legislation that would have allowed residents in voter-designated Active Management Areas (AMAs) to reassess their groundwater management designations after a decade. This decision particularly affects areas like the newly established Douglas AMA.

The bill, known as HB 2089, was introduced by Representative Gail Griffin (R–LD19). Griffin argued that the proposal aimed to maintain local control and empower rural communities in long-term water policy discussions. “This bill simply would have allowed voters to revisit a decision they made ten years earlier. It respected the voice of the people — not silenced it,” she stated in a response to the veto. Griffin further emphasized that the Governor’s action compromises rural self-governance and hampers adaptation to future conditions.

Current Arizona law imposes stringent regulations on AMAs to manage groundwater overdraft and encourage sustainable use. The voters approved the Douglas AMA in 2022 amidst rising concerns about aquifer depletion in southeastern Arizona. However, the established law did not permit voters to re-evaluate their decision, a gap HB 2089 aimed to fill.

Griffin and fellow rural lawmakers voiced concerns regarding what they perceive as rigid regulations emanating from Phoenix, which may not align with the economic realities faced by agricultural communities. The Arizona House Republican Caucus issued a press release critical of the Governor’s overarching strategy for groundwater management, especially regarding efforts to achieve a 50% reduction in groundwater overdraft in the Willcox Basin by 2075.

This veto marks a pivotal moment in an ongoing clash between state leadership and rural legislators, highlighting the challenges of balancing groundwater conservation with agricultural and economic priorities. It remains uncertain whether advocates for HB 2089 will attempt to reintroduce similar legislation in future legislative sessions.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.