SB 1475 Summary

• Establishes the Ecological Water Stewardship Program requiring the Director of Water Resources to develop standard measures using best available science to define ecological water needs and monitor surface water systems statewide.

• Adds "ecological water" as a permitted water use under Arizona water appropriation law, defined as water sufficient to sustain freshwater ecosystems and the wildlife habitat and human livelihoods that depend on those ecosystems.

• Authorizes the Director to appropriate unappropriated water and purchase, lease, or accept existing water rights when a watershed lacks sufficient water to maintain ecological water requirements.

• Creates the Ecological Water Stewardship Fund, continuously appropriated and consisting of legislative appropriations and public/private grants, with up to 5 percent available annually for administrative costs.

• Requires the Director to publish preliminary watershed reports by December 31, 2020 detailing ecological water needs, hold public hearings within 60 days, respond to comments, and submit final reports to the legislature and governor; program terminates July 1, 2028.