More drought plan discussion, but not Arizona focused. I picked this up off the Salt Lake City Tribune's webpage, although it looks like they picked it up from the AP (which is who I credited). Interesting to see that the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is flexing it's muscles on this topic, particularly as it relates to the Salton Sea. I'm guessing most people outside of Southern California and the Yuma, AZ area have never heard of IID. Perhaps this is because it's locate

Reprinted below is the Sierra Vista Herald's summary of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) water rights trial currently ongoing in Phoenix. When I was working on the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the SPRNCA hydrology and water supply was a significant issue for many of the reasons discussed below. It was amazing the number of studies that had been done on the impact of vegetation on the health of the river and the species in and around it. Even mo

The author of this article raises a great question with their first sentence: "Does a personal perspective devoid of scientific foundation carry much weight in court?" It's a valid question. Why is the court allowing testimony that is purely anecdotal from a witness that, by his own admission, does not have a background in science. While this witness does have a long history in the area, how much weight should his testimony carry? What exactly is his expertise and how should

Another issue strongly related to the topic of the State's Drought Contingency Plan and the lawsuit related to the San Pedro River. I've yet to understand who the 28,000 people are that the developer thinks will move to Benson or where they will work. Sierra Vista? The Rita Ranch area? I just don't see it. It certainly would be devastating to the San Pedro River and would likely affect water availability for Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, and Cochise County farmers and rancher