Representatives from sixteen environmental organizations are meeting with state legislators Feb. 9 during the annual Environmental Day at the Capitol. The group will advocate for changes in Arizona’s water laws.
Organizer Sandy Bahr with the Sierra Club said environmental groups feel left out of Governor Ducey’s new Water Augmentation Council. Bahr would like to see more policy emphasis on the health of rivers, streams and lakes in Arizona.
“We are going to reiterate with our particular legislators that water for the environment is important,” said Nancy Meister, who is attending the event for the Yuma Audubon Society.
Environmental groups have written what they call “A Conservation Vision for Arizona’s Water Future.” In the document, they ask government officials to update groundwater laws and consider ecosystem health alongside agricultural, municipal and industrial water demands.
About 150 people are registered to meet with state legislators.
“They do respond. I mean, not always vote the way you want them to, but they do listen,” Meister said.
A Conservation Vision of Arizona’s Water Future