Arizona Farm Bureau supports Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Farm Bureau (AZFB) announced their support for the Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) introduced the bill last week to help keep the Colorado River Basin from shrinking, and this will authorize $19 billion to increase the water supply available to the Basin.
In response to the bill’s introduction, AZFB President John Boelts issued the following statement saying the Bureau supports Rep. Biggs’ bill.
“The status quo is not sustainable, and Arizona’s agricultural producers cannot afford to be left carrying an ever-increasing share of the burden,” said Boelts.
Biggs also said the legislation would do many things, including cut federal permitting delays, restore the Yuma Desalting Plant, and support major new water infrastructure across all seven basin states.
Boelts says he is very appreciative that Biggs is wanting to resolve this issue.
“Congressman Biggs’ bill only addresses water and developing new water resources, which is critically important. We appreciate that the administration is all hands-on deck and trying to improve how our forests are managed,” Boelts said.
While both candidates have interesting takes on the Colorado River, Boelts says that Biggs provides a federal solution.
“Andy Biggs is a congressman right now and this is a federal problem. It’s not much that one state depends on the Colorado River…Over allocation, lack of resources is a federal problem so it needs a federal solution,” Boelts said.
With the recent endorsement, Biggs said it would be a big help in getting the bill passed to resolve the issue.
“The whole bill is designed to actually restore the Colorado River Basin so it’s sustainable for all of us who live here. I think there’s 35 to 40 million and most of those are in Arizona and Southern California.
Boelts says the bureau will work with any elected official, but trusts Biggs will provide the right solution.
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