Arizona moves to curb groundwater use in western basin

Arizona designated the Ranegras Plain as an active management area requiring water users to track and report usage, citing land subsidence and falling groundwater levels; officials say the rules are intended to slow further depletion.

Officials in Arizona have designated the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin as an active management area after measurements showed falling groundwater levels and land subsidence. The designation, announced by Governor Katie Hobbs, allows the Arizona Department of Water Resources and local stakeholders to form a management plan and imposes conservation and reporting requirements on basin water users. The change affects agricultural users in La Paz and Yuma counties, including the large farm operation Fondomonte. State officials say the rules are meant to slow depletion rather than reverse long-term declines. Key facts: - The Ranegras Plain was designated an active management area and water users must track and report their pumping. - The Arizona Department of Water Resources cited sinking land (subsidence) and plummeting water levels as reasons for the designation. - The designation allows ADWR and local parties to develop a management plan with conservation requirements. - The new regulations are subject to administrative or court challenges, and Attorney General Kris Mayes previously sued Fondomonte in 2024 alleging harmful pumping. Summary: The designation aims to add oversight and conservation requirements to slow groundwater depletion in the Ranegras Plain, while officials acknowledge it will not reverse the decline. Legal and administrative challenges are expected; Undetermined at this time.