Committees Overview
Committees Overview
The Governor’s Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council was formed in January 2019 by Executive Order 2019-02. The Council’s focus is on water augmentation, innovation and conservation. The Council is comprised of 38 Governor appointed members and four legislators, including the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. The Director of the Arizona Water Resource Department chairs the Council. The Council has formed four committees for focus: Desalination Committee, Long Term Water Augmentation Committee, Non-AMA Groundwater Committee and Post 2025 AMAs Committee.
Desalination
At the inaugural meeting of the Governor's Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council, the members decided that the Desalination Committee, originally established by the Governor's Water Augmentation Council, would continue. Information regarding the activites of the Desalination Committee prior to March 8, 2019 can be found here.
DESALINATION REGULATORY & LEGAL ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE
The Desalination Regulatory & Legal Issues Subcommittee was created as a technical group to conduct further investigations into sites that are designated as possible brackish water desalination projects by the Desalination Committee. The exploration of legal and regulatory constraints for such projects are conducted within this subcommittee.
Long-Term Water Augmentation
At the inaugural meeting of the Governor's Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council, the members decided that the Long-Term Water Augmentation Committee, originally established by the Governor's Water Augmentation Council, would continue. Here you will find information regarding the Long-Term Water Augmentation Committee activities prior to March 8, 2019.
POTENTIAL WATER STORAGE SITES PROJECT CRITERIA DEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE
The Potential Water Storage Sites Project Criteria Development Sub-committee was created as a working group to develop criteria which would apply parameters to a potential study of suitable water storage sites statewide. The Sub-committee's goal is to conclude by May 2020 and report its list to the GWAICC's Long Term Water Augmentation Committee.
Non-AMA Groundwater
At the June 13, 2019 meeting of the Governor's Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council, Chairman Buschatzke recommended the Council form a Groundwater Committee to look at groundwater issues outside the Active Management Areas. The Chairman received Council consensus and Rep. Gail Griffin and Ms. Jamie Kelley volunteered to co-chair the new committee. All meetings of the Committee are open to the public and all stakeholders are encouraged to participate.
Post-2025 AMAs
The Groundwater Management Code was adopted in the face of severe groundwater depletion and established AMAs and respective Management Plans for implementation of its programs. The fifth and final Management Period ends in 2025. This Committee provides an opportunity to evaluate the outcomes of the first 45 years under the Code, and to identify potential strategies for sound water management after 2025.