The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes regarding groundwater storage and recovery well permits. Specifically, it would require the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to assume that a recovery well is within the area of impact of stored water if the well is located within one mile of certain specified locations, provided that the applicant does not submit a separate hydrologic study. These specified locations include the exterior boundary of a constructed underground storage facility, the middle line of a drainage channel within the storage area of a managed underground storage facility, and the exterior boundary of a district permitted to operate as a groundwater savings facility.

Additionally, the bill would make technical changes to the language of the current statutes, including the replacement of "sub-basin" with "subbasin" for consistency. It would also clarify the conditions under which recovery of stored water can occur, particularly emphasizing the rights of applicants in various scenarios involving existing wells and the recovery of stored water. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process for recovery well permits while ensuring that the impact of stored water is adequately considered.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-834.01