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Central Arizona Project officials brief Sahuarita on Colorado River risks and local implications
Summary
Representatives from the Central Arizona Project outlined CAP operations, the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District and risks posed by post‑2026 Colorado River reconsultation, urging inclusion of a Lower Basin alternative and continued regional coordination.
Karen Caesar, board secretary for the Central Arizona Project and one of Pima County’s CAP board representatives, and Mitch Baszewski, CAP’s Southern Arizona outreach coordinator, briefed the Sahuarita town council on CAP operations and basin risks during a council meeting.
Caesar described CAP as a major renewable-water infrastructure that serves Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties and noted CAP’s role in managing allocations, the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) and a 10‑year operational plan submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. She outlined infrastructure basics — 336 miles of canal, 14 pumping plants and major inline storage — and described how CAP serves municipal, industrial and tribal water users.
On basin-level risks, Caesar recounted discussions at the Colorado River Users Association meeting and summarized ongoing federal reconsultation for post‑2026 operations. She said CAP is advocating that the Bureau of Reclamation include a Lower Basin alternative in its NEPA analyses and that alternatives respect the Colorado River Compact. Caesar warned of severe reductions under certain priority-based scenarios and said CAP is pushing for equitable sharing of reductions to avoid outcomes that could jeopardize supply.
Council members asked questions about comparative actions by other states and storage objectives for Lake Mead; Caesar discussed tiered shortage levels and emphasized cooperation among lower-basin states while noting unresolved challenges with upper-basin partners.
Caesar closed by describing CAP’s water‑education center plans and encouraged residents to follow board meetings and CAP communications.
Provenance: presentation and Q&A occurred during the Central Arizona Project agenda item; CAP materials and slides were referenced during the briefing.
