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003206 Wesley Steiner's Discussion of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act Dave Gerke - I am pleased this morning to introduce Mr. Wesley E. Steiner, Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The legis- lature established the department last June and Wes was immediately named acting director and after a nationwide search, he was named the director. He has come here today to tell us a little about the new department and how it's functioning, and also about the new Groundwater ~1anagement Act which was passed last. June which created the department. So Wes if you would. Wesley Steiner - Thank you Dave. Carl, it is good to be back with you. I see a lot of new faces and quite a few familiar ones as well. I apologize to you for being late. I got a call yesterday afternoon that some of the Senators wanted to see me this morning about the budget for the program that I want to discuss with you this morning. I am glad to be here because I just lost another $166,000. So it has been a brutal session. I know it has been, I am sure that it has been, for all of you, everywhere. I welcome the opportunity to discuss our new groundwater manage- ment law, in fact, our new water management law because it embraces more than just groundwater although groundwater, the over-pumping of groundwater in Arizona, is what precipitated this. The new law was enacted in special session of the Legislature about ten months ago. It is very comprehensive and it is an extremely tough law. In fact, to the best of my knowledge it is the toughest and most comprehensive water management law ever enacted. While it may not be the best, it certainly is a major undertaking. Many of you may, when you hear about it be glad that are not having to apply it in your areas, but I B-9 ,~..d