By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/YourWestValley.com
Rejecting claims it will harm the San Pedro River, the state House gave preliminary approval Wednesday allowing Sierra Vista, Benson and other cities to ignore the requirements enacted by Cochise County supervisors that developers must first prove they have an assured 100-year supply of water.
Rep. Brenda Barton, R-Payson, said SB 1268, which also affects Yuma County, is simply about letting cities make their own decisions. But it also would allow a company planning a 7,000-home development to go ahead, no matter what the outcome of a lawsuit by the federal Bureau of Land Management.
That fact was underscored by Rep. Lisa Otondo, D-Yuma, who unsuccessfully urged colleagues to defeat the measure.
