HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2004-064 supporting operation of the yuma desalting plantMARANA RESOLUTION NO. 2004-64
RELATING TO WATER; SUPPORTING OPERATION OF TIlE Y-OMA DF, SALTING PLANT.
WHEREAS, the Town of Marana ("Town") is a political subdivision of the State of
Arizona, and is a iapidly urbanizing mumctpality m Pmaa County, Arizona, located in the Tucson
Active Management Area designated by the Statutes of Arizona; and
WHERE~he Town is dependent on one of the largest sole source drinking water
groundwater aq~ for its supplies of water unless water supplies are supplemented by
Arizona's entitlement to Colorado River Water received from the Central Arizona Project; and
WHEREAS, increased Colorado River water storage in Lake Mead is critical to providing
adequate supplies to the citizens of Marana; and
WHF_REAS, the United States is currently bypassing an average of more than 100,000
acre-feet of drainage water per year from the Wellton-Mohawk In-igation and Drainage District to
Mexico without charge against Mexico's entitlement to Colorado River water under Mexico's
1944 Treaty with the United States and replacing it with Colorado River Water; and
WHEREAS, the United States is required, aa a national obligation under the Colorado
River Basin Salinity Control Act to replace these bypassed flows and thereby conserve Colorado
River water for use in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Title I of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the con-
struction and operation of the Yuma Desalting Plant aa the method for treating the drainage water
so that the water could be discharged into the Colorado River and charged against Mexico's
treaty antiflement; and -
WHEREAS, the Colorado River baain and all of Arizona is suffering from a period of
drought and each year that passes without operation of the Yuma Desalting Plant reduces the
amount of water stored in the Colorado River reservoirs by an amount equivalent to the bypassed
flows, thereby increasing the risk of water and electric supply shortages; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Marana and its citizens rely on sound water management and
development policies, and in particular rely upon the Colorado River water stored in Lake Mead
and delivered by the Central Arizona Project for a significant portion of its municipal water
supplies; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the entire State to have the benefit of the Yuma
Desalting Plant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY TIlE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF MARANA, ARIZONA, that the United States undertake all efforts necessary to
operate the Yuma Desalfmg Plant for the purpose for which it was constructed pursuant to the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
MARANA, ARIZONA, this 18th day of May, 2004.
Sutton, Jr.
R VED AS TO FORM;
J ~k'~assidy, Town Attome~
FJC/cds
RSO 040510 Yuma Desal~et.doc
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