Arizona Water Resource Mar-Apr 2005

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A R I Z O N A WATER RESOURCE Volume 13, Number 5 Wildflowers brighten the desert; weeds add somber note The past season s generous rains replenished reser- voirs and brought forth vegetative abundance, both wildflowers and weeds. A plethora of desert wildflow- ers is appreciated forproviding a colorful bonan .Za, whereas a robustgrowth of weeds is viewed as an unwelcomed intruder, even a hazard. In urban areas weeds clutter the landscape; in desert and forested areas weeds and grasses dry out and become tinder for wildfires. Perhaps, however, weeds deserve more consid- eration. Perhaps their abundantpresence this spring could be seen as a healthy reminder that a season of generous rain doesn't solve all problems. Everything isn't coming up wildflowers, and the drought likely re- mains athreat despite the appreciated relief — and despite theglorious wildflowers. C O N T E N T S Water Vapors ........................ 3 News Briefs .......................... 4 Guest View ........................... 6 Legislation and Law ............. 7 Publications .......................... 8 Special Projects .................... 9 Announcements .................10 Public Policy Review .........11 heed Photo: Joe Gelt March - April 2005 Flower Photos: Val Little Interbasin Groundwater Transfers Revisited Rural areas now see advantages to once r jeded option by Joe Gelt Interbasin groundwater transfers are a strategy to obtain additional water supplies in parts of the state with inadequate water resources. It is a strategy, however, fraught with legal obstacles in Arizona due to passage of the 1991 Groundwater Transporta- tion Act and subsequent amendments. Passed in response to rural concerns, the GTA essentially prohibits the transfer of groundwater from one hydrologic basin in the state to another. Some rural officials, although their interests were primarily served by the law, are now having second thoughts about interbasin groundwater transfers. Some are now viewing such transfers in a more positive light, as a possible strategy to acquire addi- tional water supplies for rural communities. (Some foresaw possible trouble ahead when rural interests were urging passage of the GTA. A Salt River Project manager reminisces that he once advised rural offi- cials at the time to be cautious of what water transfer restrictions they advocated until "they decide what they want to be when they grow up. ") Water Farming Controversy The irony of this position is best appreciated if one considers developments lead- Continued on page 2 Water Resources Research Center College of Agriculture and Life Sciences The University of Arizona