A plan to sell water intended for agricultural uses to help fuel the development of a city on the edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area has inspired new state legislation.
"A company’s proposal to take water from farmland along the Colorado River and sell it to a growing Phoenix suburb has provoked a heated debate, and some Arizona legislators are trying to block the deal with a bill that would prohibit the transfer," reports Ian James.
"The legislation introduced by Rep. Regina Cobb would bar landowners who hold 'fourth-priority' water entitlements from transferring Colorado River water away from communities near the river," explains James.
The bill, HB 2405, is intended to protect the interests of rural agricultural communities. Cobb represents La Paz County, which includes the small farming community of Cibola, "where the company GSC Farm LLC has proposed to stop irrigating its farmland and sell the water to Queen Creek," according to James. More details on the Queen Creek deal are included in the article. Queen Creek, with a population of about 26,000 in 2010, is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona.
FULL STORY: Bill would block transfers of Colorado River water from rural areas to growing cities
A Development Showdown Over Water in Rural Arizona
The battle for the future of Colorado River water, and whether it will be used for agriculture or new development, continues in Arizona.
Nebraska, Colorado Square Off in Fight Over South Platte River Water
Billions of dollars of water development are at stake as Colorado and Nebraska battle for control of more South Platter River water.
Arizona Water Rights No Longer 'Use it or Lose it'
A bill approved with bipartisan support by the Arizona State Legislature offers new incentives for water conservation.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi
One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.
Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing
Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research