HB2088

THE CONTEXT: The Director can designate an area that is not originally included in an AMA as a subsequent AMA. The Director must periodically review all areas that are included within the AMA to determine whether the areas meet any of the following criteria: 1) active management practices are necessary to preserve the existing groundwater for future needs; 2) land subsidence or fissuring is endangering property or potential groundwater storage capacity; or 3) use of groundwater is resulting in actual or threatened water quality degradation.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would allow the Director to remove the subsequent AMA designation if upon determination that an area no longer meets the criteria for inclusion as a subsequent AMA. (Sec 1), require the Director make and file an order designating the area as outside of an active management area if the Director decides to remove an area from a subsequent AMA. (Sec 3), and make technical and conforming changes. (Sec 1, 2 and 3).

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give Arizonans and public officials a defined option for subsequent ama under state law. It would allow the Director to remove the subsequent AMA designation if upon determination that an area no longer meets the criteria for inclusion as a subsequent AMA. (Sec 1), and would also require the Director make and file an order designating the area as outside of an active management area if the Director decides to remove an area from a subsequent AMA. (Sec 3), rather than leave the current rule unchanged.