2023-10-11 Verde River: Stewardship versus ownership
Description
The Verde River lives and supports life. Perennial flowing water creates a lush and rare riparian forest supporting three-quarters of the vertebrate species in Arizona, including 19 species listed by the Endangered Species Act. It contains dozens of cultural and historic sites, provides many recreational opportunities, and supplies water and economic benefits to downstream communities. But under Arizona water law, the Verde is an object to be exploited by extracting groundwater used to support economic development.
To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published October 11, 2023.