In 2016, the City of Tucson initiated a discussion about using reclaimed water to restore perennial flow to a portion of the Santa Cruz River near downtown Tucson. This action could support riparian habitat in the urban core, improve long-term water management in the region, and stimulate economic activity. The concept was well received by a multitude of stakeholders and Tucson Water began the tasks of bringing this vision to reality. In May 2019, perennial flow will return to the Santa Cruz River near Tucson’ Birthplace, and a new era of water management will begin.
Tucson Active Management Area Draft Fourth Management Plan
Jeff Tannler, Statewide Director, Active Management Areas, Arizona Department of Water Resources
John Mawhinney, Chairman, Tucson Groundwater Users Advisory Committee
02/02/2016 - 12:00pm to 1:15pm
The Tucson AMA Fourth Management Plan (4MP) outlines the statutorily-mandated conservation requirements for agricultural, municipal, and industrial users within the Tucson AMA; it also discusses the region’s water management needs, and presents options for water users to achieve the Tucson AMA’s water management goals and objectives. The management goal of the Tucson AMA is achievement of safe-yield by the year 2025, and maintenance thereafter. ADWR will continue to work with the community in planning, providing technical assistance and managing regulatory programs that ensure a dependable water supply for Arizona’s future.
Jeff Tannler is the Statewide Active Management Area Director with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). His responsibilities include water resource planning, policy development, water rights administration and staff oversight for the five Active Management Areas statewide. Mr. Tannler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. He began work with ADWR in 1988 in the Tucson AMA office.
John Mawhinney was a member of the Groundwater Commission, responsible for drafting the 1980 Groundwater Law, helping in its passage in the legislature where he served for 12 years and finished as Majority Leader. He served on the Arizona Water Bank for 12 years, and currently serves on the TAMA Groundwater Users Advisory Council.
Upcoming Events
Water Roots - River Walk: A sunset tour to illustrate a new vision for the Rillito
The Water Roots series is a collaboration between the WRRC and Sky Island Alliance to highlight the work of our partners to secure water for natural areas in southeast Arizona.
Sep 4 12:00PM
Presentation
The Art of Building a Citizen Science Program
Arizona Water Watch (AWW), a new citizen science program offered through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, is designed to train volunteers to collect credible scientific data on streams and lakes in Arizona. The program uses innovative ideas like visually friendly forms, hand stitched cloth streams for teaching, micro video lessons, and crowd sourcing data techniques to reach many levels of volunteers.
