Two issues have taken a lot of real estate at the Arizona Progress & Gazette are water and industry. Usually they end up being separated because they are nuanced-enough subjects in their own right, but occasionally they merge, and in one particular case it spells out the massive potential challenges that await our state. For those of you who use … Read More
Phoenix’s Water Management Dilemma: Politics, Sustainability and Resources
By Grace Chapman Within the arid landscape of Arizona, water is a necessary resource as this summer saw scorching temperatures up to 116 degrees. Therefore it is imperative that Arizona’s local and state governments understand how to navigate water resources within the state. Phoenix faces a formidable challenge of managing water resources during climate change and growing urbanization. Most of … Read More
In the Wake of the Rio Verde Foothills Crisis, Water Rights Come Front and Center
Regular readers are acutely aware of the water crisis in the Rio Verde Foothills, the beleaguered community on the border of Scottsdale. Their trouble securing a long-term water source has been well documented and is still an ongoing process. But as the state legislature and other entities were forced to weigh in on the subject, it has now become clear … Read More
The Unfortunate Consequence of Drought: Governor Hobbs Puts the Breaks on Growth, How Will It Impact Us?
On this blog we pride ourselves on regularly covering the most pressing issues of Arizona, and two of the most pressing issues of the last few years have been the ongoing water supply issues plaguing the entire region, as well as the crisis of the cost of housing. Both of those items happen to intersect in a recent development that … Read More
Is the Light at the End of the Tunnel with Arizona’s Drought?
Not just around the country, but around the world people often have a singular first thought that pops into their mind when they are asked about Arizona: it’s a desert, it’s dry, it’s hot, or something of the sort. Water has always been a significant question mark, but that has intensified in recent years as water levels at our biggest … Read More
Further Fracturing Impacting Rio Verde Foothills Water Solution
The ongoing water crisis at the Rio Verde Foothills has seen a lot of chaos and a lot of bitter struggles (get up to date here). There has been finger pointing, battle lines drawn between Scottsdale Mayor Dave Ortega and the county Board of Supervisors, protests, state representatives taking shots and nearly everyone having an opinion. And that doesn’t appear … Read More
Lessons in Leadership: What Really Happened to the Rio Verde Foothills Water Plan
You are very likely aware of the ongoing Rio Verde Foothills water crisis; hopefully you’ve read some of our coverage, but regardless you’re likely aware of the highly concerned citizenry in the unincorporated town on the outskirts of Scottsdale, as well as the political bickering between the city of Scottsdale and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. A new story … Read More
The New Battle Lines with the Rio Verde Foothills Water Crisis Emerges: the City of Scottsdale v. Maricopa County
For a few moments, we thought that the Rio Verde Foothills water crisis was mostly resolved. We thought we had turned a corner, and that an agreement had been largely agreed upon. But to the detriment of the citizens of the Foothills and to the benefit of the pundits who appreciate good stories to write about, the story is clearly … Read More