By Noah Cullen | Pinal Central
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Water Resources hosted its third stakeholder meeting of the year to receive public input on two specific discussion items regarding agricultural land being retired for urban development in an effort to promote housing construction and conserve water.
“Ag-to-urban,” as it’s called, is not a new idea. A version of the idea meandered through the Arizona Legislature last year until it met the veto of Gov. Katie Hobbs, along with four other water-related bills. The bill was supported by many in the Pinal area including Steve Miller, Pinal County Board of Supervisors chairman and vice chairman of the Pinal Groundwater Users Advisory Council. The ADWR is hosting frequent stakeholder meetings to build solid legislation on the idea that is supported by many.
The meeting focused on two major discussions: the first was why ag-to-urban water credits should be limited to designated providers, as opposed to those that have obtained a certificate of assured water supply, and the second was the portability of credits away from agricultural land. Representatives from Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Arizona Water Company, Queen Creek and Buckeye all participated. A particular point of interest came from the department’s decision to limit the credits only to designated providers; some attendees expressed that expanding the accessibility to certificates might allow for a “bridge” to designation — especially for cities that may struggle to obtain that designation.
