WHERE DID YOU SAY THAT DUNCE CAP WAS

State working to explain water adequacy law … By Dana Cole … Herald/Review … EXCERPTED … Published on Sunday … June 15, 2008 … SIERRA VISTA — The Arizona Department of Water Resources has been conducting a series of public workshops aimed at explaining the state’s new water adequacy law under Senate Bill 1575. The measure authorizes cities, towns and counties to require an adequate water supply determination from ADWR for approval of new subdivisions. “If local government chooses to exercise their new authority, developers must demonstrate to us (ADWR) that they have a water supply adequate for 100 years before they can obtain final plat approval,” said Jack Lavelle, public information officer for ADWR. “They can now turn down developments if we (the ADWR) report there is not an adequate supply of water for that development,” Lavelle said. “It brings the control of growth to the local level, where it should be.” There are, however, exemptions to the adequacy provision that can be adopted. The exemptions apply to subdivisions that had already received final plats before adoption of the water adequacy requirement. All plats that are materially altered after the final plat approval do not qualify for exemption. Other exemptions are extended to sub dividers that have “made a substantial capital investment toward construction of the project.” In addition, the ADWR will amend its water adequacy requirement to include subdivisions that will be served by a water supply project that is under construction and will be completed within 20 years. “Our workshops are intended to explain the situation and gather public input,” Lavelle said. “We’ll be looking at the definition of adequate water supply when addressing ground water, under our current provision of not allowing the depth-to-water to exceed 1,200 feet. But one size doesn’t fit all.

So now we’re looking at changing the definition to suit different areas.

Where’s a dunce cap when you need one…?

When “our” – that’s yours & my – input is honestly to be considered our government will find a time and a place convenient for us to attend.

In the meantime, however, the exemptions are always made sufficiently large enough for corporate water purveyors to drive a Mack truck through. And we’re none the wiser because we choose to remain out of the loop.

“So now we’re looking at changing the definition to suit different areas”, what’s this sound like to you…?
Were I to trust ADWR was truly looking out for our long term water interests, the hair on the back of my neck would not stand at attention. This statement speaks volumes on how we permit our regulators to act with impunity respecting the continued degradation of all forms of Arizona’s water.

Let’s see ADWR with impunity manipulates the definitions surrounding water and we continue to believe in the inviolability of their vaunted 100 year assured water supply certificate…?

ADWR manipulates the definitions, while we compliantly permit our attention to be diverted. Where did you say that dunce cap was…?