Sen. Mark Finchem proudly supports Sen. Warren Petersen’s SB 1176 because Arizona must manage water resources realistically and responsibly without unnecessary bureaucracy. Stormwater runoff is already a valuable resource, yet existing permitting structures have made it harder to store and recharge it efficiently.
SB 1176 expands water storage permits to clearly include stormwater recharged into constructed underground storage facilities. It allows permit holders to receive replenishment credits equal to 95 percent of the volume of stormwater recharged, recognizing the real value of water that would otherwise be lost.
This approach rewards practical conservation without creating new mandates or expanding regulatory power. It encourages local solutions and infrastructure investment while keeping control at the state level rather than inviting federal intrusion.
Finchem supports SB 1176 because water policy must balance conservation with economic reality. Arizona cannot afford waste, but it also cannot afford regulation that discourages innovation and common-sense resource management.
Bill Info: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83789