Speak out against bad water policy in Arizona

Dan and I attended Environmental Day at the Capital yesterday. We had a great time and learned a lot.  We met with Sen. Farley and Rep. Friese. They both seem supportive of environmental issues.  Sen. Farley seemed downright enthusiastic about them! They agreed to look into the bad water program amendments in SB1507. I mentioned that I am putting together a group to advocate for the sustainable policies. I wanted them to know that we had their backs if they supported bills protecting the environment.

While doing research on our legislators' position on water issues, Dan and I discovered that there were several bad water program amendments being heard at the Natural Resources: Energy and Water Committee on Monday, February 12th at 2 o'clock.

The SB1507 water program amendments by Sen. Griffin contain a number of provisions that the Sierra Club has concerns about. But they are especially opposed to the provision that weakens the requirements for adequate water supply for subdivisions outside of active management areas (AMAs)

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/CommitteeOverView?SessionID=119Natural Resources

Pretty much everything proposed by the Chair Griffin looks bad. She is a real estate agent set on weakening or dismantling water protections that hamper development. She wants to push through a huge development (the size of a town) near Sierra Vista that would empty the river and deplete their water supply.

Here is how you can help....

If you don't have one, please, sign up for a Request to Speak account NOW and then indicate your opposition to those bills anytime before the meeting is over Monday. Your position will become a part of public record.

It may take a day or two for Sandy to get you signed up for Request to Speak, so please sign up asap. It only take a few minutes.

To sign up for Request to Speak go to: https://apps.azleg.gov/account/signon 

Select Request to Speak, then select "Create an Account." Then send your password to Sandy Bahr from the Sierra Club to activate it. (Dan signed up at the capital.)

sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org


NOTE: Signing up for Request to Speak doesn't mean that you have to speak at the committee meeting. It means that you submit your position affirming or opposing the bill on their website. 

Sen. Andrea Dalessandro in pink.

I recently wrote a letter to Natural Resources Committee member Andrea Dalessandro urging her to vote no on SB1507. As a Pima County resident, you can send her an e-mail asking her to vote no on SB1507 and telling her that you will show your opposition to the bill on Request to Speak. It you are in her district (ld 2), your letter should have even more impact.

adalessandro@azleg.gov

I believe she wants to support environmental issues (she seemed pleased to see me up in the balcony of the chamber), but may need a show of support to oppose this bill. Lots of opposing comments on the Request to Speak may help.

It's time to build solidarity and show them we are a force to be reckoned with!

If you would like to learn more about Request to Speak or how you can advocate for more sustainable policies in Arizona, please, attend Sustainable Tucson's next meeting.

Civics 101 for Sustainable Advocacy 

Tuesday, February 13th at 6 p.m. 

Ward 6 office 

3202 E 1st St, Tucson, AZ