PHOENIX (AP) — It's necessary to regulate groundwater in the state’s rural southeast, allowing the designation of a controlled area to stop rapid depletion of the water through agricultural use, the Arizona Department of Water Resources announced Friday.
The department’s Director Tom Buschatzke said data analysis of hydrologic conditions in the state’s Willcox basin shows that the conditions have been met “to take necessary steps to defend our groundwater supplies for future generations.”
Under state law, Buschatzke is empowered as director to designate what is known as an “active management area” for the Willcox Groundwater Basin in Arizona’s Cochise and Graham counties.
“As my staff has made clear in public hearings held in Willcox and in response to comments on our presentations from members of the public, the hydrologic conditions in the basin meet the statutory requirements,” he said in a statement.
The director made the designation on Thursday, following public hearings on the matter, according to a statement by the water agency. During that period, the basin was closed to new agriculture use while the department decided whether to create the management area southeast of Tucson that would allow it to set goals for the well-being of the basin and its aquifers.
Gov. Katie Hobbs and the state water resources agency had been under pressure by local residents to deal with the groundwater depletion.
Hobbs on Friday praised the designation.
“I’ve heard from families, farmers, and businesses who have experienced the devastating impacts of unchecked pumping by unaccountable, big corporations,” said said. “Their wells are running dry, their homes are damaged by fissures in the earth, and their farms are barely able to get by.”
High rates of pumping can dry up wells and cause the ground to collapse, damaging roads and other property. According to a water resources department report, 26 wells in the basin that are regularly measured fell 10 feet (3 meters) to nearly 142 feet (43 meters) between the years 2000 and 2020.
Arizona farm interests have historically opposed groundwater pumping regulations, saying such a structure is too inflexible.
The Willcox Groundwater Basin management area is the first formed by executive action since approval of Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act in 1980. Several other such areas in Arizona were created by similar laws. The urban areas of Phoenix and Tucson have long been under groundwater management.
This story has been updated to correct that the designation of the management area was made on Dec. 19, not Dec. 1.
Water basins at Coronado Dairy in Willcox, Ariz., are seen on Sept. 19, 2021. (Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star via AP)
Local homeowner Steve Kisiel gives Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs a tour of his property before meeting with a group of Willcox homeowners in Pearce, Ariz., Sept. 5, 2024. (Grace Trejo/Arizona Daily Star via AP)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway shrugged off a couple of first-half turnovers and threw for 305 yards and a touchdown to lead Florida to a sloppy, but dominating 33-8 victory over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday.
Trey Smack kicked a Gasparilla Bowl-record four field goals for the Gators (8-5), who also got a late TD run from walk-on running back Anthony Rubio, son of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, to finish the season on a four-game win streak.
Tulane (9-5), which played without starting quarterback Darian Mensah, was outgained 529 yards to 194 and didn't score until Ty Thompson threw a TD pass in the final minute.
A true freshman who sparked Florida's turnaround from a 3-3 start to the season, Lagway finished 22-of-35 passing with two interceptions that contributed to the Gators only leading 6-0 at halftime. Late in the game, Lagway mishandled a snap on fourth-and-1 only to have running back KD Daniels scoop up the ball and run 25 yards for a touchdown.
Rubio entered in the fourth quarter. With 449-pound defensive lineman Desmond Watson lined up in the backfield behind him, he ran for 8 yards on his first carry and eventually finished a nine-play drive with a 9-yard run that increased Florida's lead to 33-0.
The Gators won five of seven after their disappointing start to the season, with most of the surge coming after athletic director Scott Strickin guaranteed coach Billy Napier would return in 2025. Lagway became the starting quarterback after Graham Mertz was lost to a season-ending knee injury in October.
Tulane, which lost its last three games, played without Mensah, who entered the transfer portal and decided to continue his career at Duke.
Thompson, who transferred to Tulane from Oregon in 2024, made his first college start — and possibly played his final game for the Green Wave. He also has entered the transfer portal, with the intent of finding a team that wants him to start full-time, though he hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to the Green Wave.
Tulane avoided a shutout when Thompson tossed a 16-yard TD pass to Mario Williams. The Green Wave quarterback finished 11 of 29 for 125 yards and three interceptions.
Lagway showed flashes of why Florida feels good about its future with him running the offense, but also made some poor decisions with the ball. His end-zone interception cost the Gators at least three points, and he also was unable to get the ball into the end zone after a 38-yard completion to Chimere Dike gave Florida a first down at the Tulane 3 early in the third quarter. Thompson's audition for a shot at the Green Wave's starting job did not go well. The junior generally is a better runner than passer, however he wasn't effective doing either against the Gators.
Florida opens next season at home against LIU, while Tulane hosts Northwestern. Both teams begin Aug. 30.
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Tulane safety Kevin Adams III interrcepts a pass by Florida quarterback DJ Lagway during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tulane offensive lineman Josh Remetich (68) is carted off the field after getting injured during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs past Tulane nose tackle Adonis Friloux (95) during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida tight end Tony Livingston celebrates after his touchdown during the second half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game against Tulane Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) stiff arms Tulane linebacker Tyler Grubbs (13) during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws a pass against Tulane during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
