(Disclosure: Rose Law Group Founder and President Jordan Rose is chairman of the Pinal Partnership Board of Directors.)
Dear Legislators,
Pinal Partnership is a non-profit membership organization formed in 2005 that leads responsible economic development in Pinal County by joining public and private sector efforts. We have 24 Board of Directors and over 200 members with interest in Pinal County with a shared goal of Uniting the Vision for Pinal County. Part of that vision includes water, water management and water policy.
We find ourselves at a critical time in our county as it pertains to water. As President/CEO of Pinal Partnership, I am writing to advocate for two solutions that directly impact Pinal County and need action:
1. SB1616 – Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority (PCWAA) bonding cleanup. Existing statutes provide that PCWAA can bond for water supplies and water projects. However, there are some vagueness in these current laws. This bill updates and cleans up the language to make it clear so bonding for important projects can proceed. Unfortunately, this bill bid not receive a hearing and no longer moving forward. We request that you support a renewed effort to bring this issue back and see a bill cross the finish line.
2. HB2753 & SB1393 – Groundwater Replenishment, adding the Pinal Active Management Area (AMA) These bills simply add the Pinal AMA to the existing law for the Phoenix AMA and is critical for our non-designated water provider(s) in the Pinal AMA to become Designated Water Provider(s). Unfortunately, these bills were amended with language to address a separate water issue and this amendment will likely cause the bill to be vetoed. We request that this bill be allowed to move forward without the adopted amendments.
On behalf of Pinal Partnership’s Board of Directors and members, I urge you to you to take action on these two important water solutions for Pinal County – these water management solutions are key to the Pinal County Community, and we need your help!
Sincerely,
Craig H. McFarland
Pinal Partnership, President & CEO
Cell: (520) 251-0687
craig@pinalpartnership.com
