The Battle for Local Water Rights

* The Central Arizona Project's governing board voted overwhelmingly Thursday to take the first key step toward importing the river water into the state's midsection. But the agency is meeting fierce resistance from officials where the water would come from - rural Mohave County, although it's supported by home builders who want the water moved to central and southern Arizona for future growth.

* The board will vote on final approval of the deal in January, and the transaction would close in February if approved. The land and water rights are now owned by Water Assets Management LLC and Water Property Investor LP.

* Opponents say the water transfer could bleed the economy of small towns along the Colorado River.

* Critics also say it could set a precedent for future transactions, stripping even more water from on-river users for the benefit of Tucson and Phoenix.

* If the CAP board seals this deal, there will be more hurdles ahead. The Department of Water Resources must make a recommendation on the proposal after taking public comment. Then, the Bureau of Reclamation will take more public comment and make the final decision, because it has the final say over the contracting of all Colorado River supplies.

2017-09-24

Mohave County fighting CAP proposal

• Mohave County fighting CAP proposal
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Water Rights, Water Strategy