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Water has always been a big issue in Arizona, but a lot has happened especially in the last year.

Although it came close, Arizona ultimately failed to pass meaningful legislation that would provide Arizona’s rural communities with new tools to manage groundwater resources. Growing calls for help.

All of these factors will play a role in 2023 as Audubon and partners work hard to explore more options for groundwater management in rural Arizona. Protect rivers, streams and bird habitat Like yellow-breasted chats and vermilion flycatchers. We will also work to ensure that state agencies have the resources they need to do their job of conserving and protecting Arizona’s lands and waters.

Arizona’s top priorities for the 2023 Congress are:

1) Pass legislation to provide communities in rural Arizona (locations located outside of active management areas) with the ability to plan, manage, and protect groundwater resources in a locally adaptable approach.

2) Provide adequate funding to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to enable it to fulfill its obligations to Arizona residents to manage, conserve, and protect water resources (rivers and groundwater). Provides the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality with the funding and fee increases needed to implement mandates to protect water quality statewide.

3) Track and monitor the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) as it releases criteria and standards for new grants and loan programs to fund water infrastructure and water conservation projects. In late December 2022, a hasty and thoroughly unscrutinized proposal for a desalination plant and pipeline project was submitted to his recently formed WIFA Board. The approximately 500 members of Audubon’s Western Rivers Action Network warned board members not to slow down and approve such a massive proposal without further discussion and scrutiny. We will continue to pay attention to projects that siphon available funds without due scrutiny, and focus on actionable water crisis costs as opposed to far-flung water import schemes. Advocate effective solutions. .

4) We advocate for policies that help us manage the water we have as wisely as possible.we must Patch leaky bucket holes in Arizona’s water policySuch as amending the currently unlimited groundwater withdrawal rules in rural Arizona. Proceed with lengthy general river arbitration litigation to determine who has rights to river water volume in the state. We also work with tribes that have not yet resolved their water rights claims in Arizona. Leaving these issues unresolved creates uncertainty at a time when Arizona’s water supply is under incredible stress.

At Audubon, we know the urgent need to act and make the right policy choices now Help the state adapt and transform so that Arizona’s rivers, communities, farms, businesses, birds, fish, and habitats can continue to thrive in the future. I need help.Be sure to participate Western Rivers Action Network Get the latest information on Arizona’s water policy and call to action. Your voice has a huge impact on decision makers and they need it more than ever.