Opinion: It was shocking to see the former Arizona governor championing a scheme that would set off parochial, Balkanizing fights over water.
By Grady Gammage, Jr., opinion contributor | azcentral
Arizona is defined by acquiring, managing, sharing and moving water. From the time of the Hohokam through the building of the Salt River Project and the CAP canal, the portability of water has made Arizona possible.
Generations of Arizonans have participated in the complex system of managing water resources for the benefit of the entire state. For more than 100 years, these decisions have required balancing economic benefits, environmental impacts, individual property rights and public interests.
Bruce Babbitt has been one of those Arizonans – a thoughtful leader with broad, long-term perspective. That’s why it was shocking to see his column championing a scheme that would set off internal, parochial, Balkanizing fights over Arizona’s future.
