Arizona water agency takes last step before it can create a Willcox groundwater protection area

Arizona Department of Water Resources, known as ADWR, held a public hearing Nov. 22 on the Willcox water basin, the last step before the agency can create a groundwater protection area and restrict pumping in the basin.

The proposal got mixed reviews from residents.

Some say creating a new Active Management Area, or AMA, is needed to protect people’s wells from running dry. Others, like rancher Timothy Klump, aren’t convinced.

“We don’t need a bunch of whiny-a– people, so just tell the governor she needs to stop drinking so much wine, and learn how the hell to grow some grapes,” Klump said in public comment. “I’ve had 15 wells go dry in my lifetime. It had nothing to do with pumping, it had to go with there’s no rain. … There’s no government mandate gonna change that,” Klump said.

Residents of the Willcox area rejected a ballot measure in 2022 which would have established an AMA — something opponents of ADWR’s effort brought up several times.

“We implore the governor and ADWR to respect the electorate’s will,” Arizona Farm Bureau Federation President John Boelts said.

Generally, ranches and vineyards opposed the measure which they said would stifle growth.

“The implementation of such programs would have a devastating effect,” Arizona Wine Grower’s Association representative Barbara Pierce said.

The director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tom Buschatzke, now has 30 days to determine whether to issue an order establishing a new AMA.

Lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs spent several months negotiating a way to create an alternative to AMAs which would be designed for rural areas like Willcox specifically, but they never came to a deal.

Republican lawmakers are not in favor of Hobbs and ADWR acting unilaterally.

“I do believe that the solution is a local solution … for her [Hobbs] to come in and impose an AMA; I just found that egregious,” Rep. Lupe Diaz (R-Benson) said.

Cochise County resident Melanie Lawrence said the lack of an AMA can’t continue. She said this shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

“I believe that many of the measures that have been put before the Legislature are smoke and mirrors and are not substantial answers to the issues that we face,” Lawrence said.