From the Kingman Daily Miner, 2007-04-15

By: Suzanne Adams
Kingman Daily Miner Staff Writer

KINGMAN - Mohave County Manager Ron Walker is hoping the Board of Supervisors will take a big step forward in protecting the natural resources of the county at its Monday meeting. He is recommending that the Board add management of the county's natural resources to the county's business plan.

Walker's main concern is about the use of water in the county. The cool, life-sustaining liquid is at the heart of a presentation by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and three other items on Monday's agenda.

""The status of groundwater in Mohave County is a challenge," he said. "We have limited supply and major demand. With growth comes great thirst. Residential development and industrial corporate entities are competing for our water resources."

ADWR's presentation will focus on the status of a groundwater study currently in progress in the county. The study on the Sacramento, Detrital and Hualapai basins began in October 2005.

It was expected to take five years to complete the study.

On the Board's agenda is an item that would have the county entering into an agreement with ADWR, whereby the county would give ADWR $100,000 to complete the study in three years instead of five and provide progress reports on the study to the county every six months until the agreement ends in October 2008.

Also on the agenda is a request from three local companies for water from the Interstate 40 water system. Management and Training Corporation, operators of the state prison in Golden Valley, are asking for an additional 70 gallons per minute. MTC currently has an agreement with the county for 200 gpm. The other two companies are new users to the system. Northwest Arizona Distributors, Inc. is asking for four gpm, and Enviroc, Inc. is asking for 40 gpm.

According to information from the County Public Works Department, there is currently only 70 gpm left unallocated in the system. The department is recommending that the Board grant MTC 26 gpm, Northwest Arizona Distributors four gpm and Enviroc 40 gpm and declare the system at capacity.

Also on the agenda is a suggestion from Walker that the county work with the Arizona Counties Insurance Pool to hire an attorney who specializes in water management and utility issues for the county.

Walker said the county has signed agreements in the past that have taken advantage of the county, the taxpayers and the future health of the environment.

"We would be well served to have a specialist," he said.

Walker is also concerned about illegal dumping in the county. He said illegal dumping has proliferated throughout the county despite the best efforts of the county's Environmental Rural Area Cleanup Enforcement program.

"We have been as effective against illegal dumping as battling an avalanche with a broom and a dustpan. We need to map out specific objectives in dealing with this problem and take action," he said.

"New homes will be built and new businesses will come to Mohave County," he said. "We have to make sure to guard against those entities that visualize Mohave County resources as disposable."

The Board of Supervisors will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday in the County Administrative Building at 700 W. Beale St.