By Rachel Leingang | Arizona Capitol Times
The Central Arizona Project tried to strike a deal to sell water to California for $18 million during the 2015 drought, which the state claims underscores the need for reforms to the water delivery system’s operations.
The topic recently surfaced in meetings commenced by Gov. Doug Ducey to plan for the future of water in the state. Many potential changes to water laws were aimed at the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, which operates CAP.
The unsuccessful 2015 deal with California gives ammunition to the Ducey administration’s efforts to change how CAP operates, providing backup to their claim that the organization needs to be brought in line. And for CAP, it lays bare that the state is building a case to go after a separately elected body.
To the state, what happened in 2015 is indicative of an organization gone rogue and working outside its authority. To CAP, the deal was an innovative way to store water in California, and to characterize it as a sale is irresponsible and politically motivated.
