SB 1370 Summary

• Adds "ecological water" definition to Arizona water law as water sufficient to sustain freshwater ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and human livelihoods depending on those ecosystems.

• Authorizes appropriation of unappropriated water for ecological water purposes and allows transfer of existing water rights for ecological water uses.

• Requires the Director of Water Resources to establish standard measures using best available science to define ecological water needs in the state, including criteria examining relationships between ecological water and groundwater/surface water.

• Mandates the Director publish a preliminary survey by December 31, 2021 describing watershed conditions, areas not meeting ecological water requirements, methods to monitor and restore ecosystems, and needed statutory changes.

• Requires public notice, comment period, open meeting, and written responses to comments on the preliminary survey, with final survey posted online for at least six months; this requirement repeals September 30, 2022.