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Letter: We all have responsibility to protect water resources


8/7/2012 6:10:00 PM

 Editor:

GOP candidates for Yavapai County Supervisors, District 2, responded to questions arising from an Arizona state law which states County Supervisors can, by unanimous vote, deny applications for new development if it cannot be proven there is an assured one hundred year supply."

Tom Thurman said "it would amount to a taking if someone bought property on which they couldn't build." But he also stated zoning restrictions might be imposed limiting number and configuration of homes built. So zoning is OK, but proof of water supply is not?

John McReynolds says a person "should do what they want with their property as long as it does not hurt the well-being and welfare of others". So if the water level drops in his neighbor's well, is that hurting his neighbor's welfare and well being?

Martin Pangburn said "Recharge is always the answer. If we don't put the water back, we're not going to come out of this." It's a great idea but he must know about evaporation in the desert!

To another question he says "We need to look at ways we haven't even thought about, like (de)salination plants and things that will bring us the water we need here". Does he know the cost of these pie in the sky ideas? Conservation is WAY cheaper.

Obviously these three candidates are reluctant to face the hard choices about future water supply required if we are to enjoy the water we take for granted now.

Water is a common good, Should it be owned by one developer or one individual? Humans are selfish and want to maximize a benefit that is essentially free. That will result in future tragedy. We must recognize that we are all tied together by a common responsibility to protect our common water resources.

Carol Marie Grieshaber

Rimrock


 

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