The proposed bill would update current statutes regarding groundwater withdrawal limits in Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs) by establishing a maximum annual withdrawal limit of six acre-feet per acre from non-exempt wells. This new provision would apply to both initial and subsequent INAs, and penalties would be imposed for violations of this limit. Additionally, the bill would clarify that irrigation must occur with groundwater prior to the INA designation to continue using groundwater for irrigation. It would also introduce new requirements for measuring devices in subsequent INAs and exempt certain correctional facilities from the withdrawal limit, allowing them to irrigate up to ten acres for producing plants for inmate consumption.

Furthermore, the bill would allow landowners in an INA to permanently retire irrigated acres and substitute them for other acres within the same INA, provided that this does not lead to increased groundwater withdrawals. It would permit the construction of new non-exempt wells or replacement wells in new locations, ensuring compliance with existing regulations and no net increase in groundwater withdrawal. The bill would also remove certain types of water from the allowed sources for irrigation after the designation of a subsequent INA and make technical and conforming changes to existing statutes, thereby enhancing water management and conservation efforts in Arizona's irrigation non-expansion areas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 45-432, 35-146, 35-147
House Engrossed Version: 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 45-432, 35-146, 35-147