Douglas - AMA

Overview of the town of Bisbee in the Douglas AMA

Douglas AMA

On August 30, 2022, in response to a petition that was filed by residents pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-415, the Board of Supervisors of Cochise County called for an election, to be held on November 8, 2022, on whether to designate the Douglas Groundwater Basin as a subsequent active management area (“AMA”).  The AMA was designated on December 1, 2022. 
 
NOTICE: Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-416, only those lands that were legally irrigated in the five years preceding that date (August 30, 2022) may be irrigated within the basin. “Irrigate” means to apply water to two or more acres of land to produce plants or parts of plants for sale or human consumption, or for use as feed for livestock, range livestock, or poultry. A.R.S. § 45-402.
 
With the designation of AMA on December 1, 2022 the prohibition on irrigation of new acres within the basin (with certain limited exceptions) remains in effect permanently. Additionally, a person may withdraw groundwater from a well having a pump with a maximum capacity greater than 35 gallons per minute ("non-exempt well") only if the person holds a right to withdraw the groundwater. Individuals must apply for grandfathered rights by March 1, 2024. 
 
Please review this FAQ page for further information. View the following fact sheets in English and Spanish:
 
If you are seeking to apply for a groundwater right, please select the appropriate form below. 
 
Questions can be directed to 602-771-8585 or [email protected]. Applications can be electronically submitted to earp or mailed to the Department at 1802 W. Jackson St. Box 79, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
 

Management Goal

The management goal of the Douglas AMA is to support the general economy and welfare of water users in the basin by reducing the rate of aquifer depletion by an amount established in the first management plan and by additional reductions established in each subsequent management plan every 10 years thereafter.

Comments on the Management Goal (January 2023)

Riverview | Local Farmers, Ranchers, and Residents of Douglas Basin |  Greg Sweatt | studioARCHITECTURE | Farmers, Ranchers, and Residents of the Cochise County| Coalition of Farmers in the Douglas AMA  | Athwal, White, Lehman, Zamora, and Pratt | Diana LaMar  | Sharon Rock | Ben Dale | Thomas Johnson | Tomas Gustason | Edie Gustason | Michael Gregory| Ben Lepley | Beau Hodai | Lynn Gray

COMMENTS ON THE MANAGEMENT GOAL (April 2023)

Lynn Gray | Ash Dahlke | Mary McDonald  |  Diana LaMar |  Ruth Cowan |  Tom and Edie Gustason |  Chris Upchurch | Susan K | Summary of Public Comments Presented at April Public Meeting | Gary Fehr | Alice Hamers | Deborah Spriull| Lynn Gray| Nathan, Bailer, Mason, Davidson, Costa, Hamers, and Davidson |  Gail Griffin |   Alegra Davidson Creation| David Robinson | Barbara Lawson | Steven Kislel |  Joanne Weiner| Jackie and Nathan Watkins| Arizona Farm Bureau Federation | Tricia Gerrodette| Athwal, Dhaliwal, Lehman, Zamora and Mundt | Susan Peper| Chris Upchurch | Various Individuals Form Comments | Diane LaMar| Neil Peterson

Public hearing on the draft management goal (june 2023)

WebEx Recording | Public Hearing Presentation | Hearing Transcript

Public Comments received on draft management goal

Various Citizens | Various Citizens 2 | Gail Griffin | Anne Bush | Christian Sawyer | Beau Hodai| Ben Susman| Birkleigh Graythorne| BR | Mark Schmidt| Dianne Post | Gypsy Frazier | Peter Waser | Anastasia Rabin | Alice Hamers | Alyssa Bernal | Anne Bush 2 | Donna Burke | Elaine Bailey | Friends of the Sonoran Desert | Allyson Armstrong | Ash Dahlke | Ben Lepley | Cheryl Knott | Haydie Lopez | Jennifer Liebertz | Peter Levine | Various Citizens 3 | Alegra Davidson | Christian Sawyer-Evidence | David Ivan Clark | Dianna LaMar | Donald Huish | Friends of the Sonoran Desert 2| Lizann Michaud | Mary Ann Capehart | Michael Gregory | Gail Griffin 2| studioARCHITECTURE | studioARCHITECTURE 2 | Steven Kisiel | Terra Ag Ventures, et al |

motions for rehearing or review (Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-114(C))

Christian Sawyer Motion for Review
 

MANAGEMENT Plan