We have been working hard to prepare for signature collection for the referendum. To clarify, this petition drive, which will continue throughout September, it is not a vote to establish an AMA. Instead, it calls for a special election on March 9^th, 2026, so the community can decide whether the McMullen Valley aquifer should become an AMA.

We expect to receive our official serial number from the County on Thursday, September 10^th. After that, we will begin collecting signatures. We encourage everyone who cares about the future of water in our valley and wants a voice in local water decisions to sign the referendum petition. Once signature collection begins, we will be reaching out. If you would like to sign and have not heard from us, please contact us on Facebook, through this website, or by email at mcmullenvalleywaterdefenders@gmail.com.

To sign the petition, you must meet the following qualifications:

• You care about the future of water in McMullen Valley.
• You live in McMullen Valley.
• You are a registered voter in the Valley.

Join us in the effort to protect our water and our future.

Below is the official title of the initiative measure and the language that will appear on the referendum ballot:

OFFICIAL TITLE

AN INITIATIVE MEASURE

Calling for an AMA election pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-415

Upon petition by ten percent of the La Paz County registered voters residing within the boundaries of the proposed active management area, an election shall be held on the designation of the McMullen Valley Groundwater Basin as an active management area, as authorized by the Arizona Groundwater Code, A.R.S. § 45-415. Upon submission of the requisite number of petition signatures, La Paz County shall call a special election for this purpose and shall immediately notify the boards of supervisors of Maricopa County and Yavapai County of the election.

The ballot question at such election shall be worded as follows:

“Should the McMullen Valley Goundwater Basin be designated an active management area?”

Yes ___

No____

If you have questions about what an AMA would mean to the Valley, please direct your questions to our email at mcmullenvalleywaterdefenders@gmail.com and we will do our best to answer them for you.

An Active Management Area (AMA) is a designated region in Arizona where groundwater is regulated under the 1980 Groundwater Management Act to prevent overuse and protect aquifers Arizona Department of Water Resources+1. The “good” part comes from the fact that AMAs are designed to sustainably manage finite groundwater resources so that aquifers can continue to supply water for decades, rather than being depleted.

Key reasons an AMA is beneficial for an aquifer:

1. Prevents Overdraft
   AMAs set safe-yield goals — meaning no more groundwater is withdrawn than is naturally replenished each year Arizona Department of Water Resources. This stops the aquifer from being “pumped dry” and allows it to maintain its recharge balance.  For a point of reference, the natural replenishment is now about 9,000 acre feet er year.  This would give local control backed by the state to preserve the aquifer generations into the future.
2. Enforces Conservation
   Within AMAs, water users must follow management plans that include mandatory conservation programs. These plans gradually reduce withdrawals, especially for agriculture, municipal, and industrial users, ensuring long-term aquifer health.  Currently in the Valley WAM has said that they are committed to using less water with a new crop and not planting alfalfa and some people in the Valley believe that they are forced to do so by law.  That is not true.  Whether HB 2758 passes or not they can go to whatever crop they want to.  The AMA would help enforce them to use conservation methods up to and including the planting of less water intensive crops.   This would apply to any individual or company who farms in the Valley.  That would be the law!  Arizona Department of Water Resources.
3. Protects Water Supply for Future Needs
   By limiting pumping, AMAs help preserve groundwater for future generations, including non-irrigation uses like municipal supply, industry, and environmental needs Arizona Department of Water Resources.
4. Supports Economic Stability
   In agricultural AMAs like Pinal, the goal is to preserve the local economy while still protecting the aquifer for future uses Arizona Department of Water Resources. This balance prevents economic collapse due to water shortages while safeguarding the resource.  It encourages investment in the communities because there is assurance that there are regulations regarding water usage that will make water available for generations to come.
5. Encourages Sustainable Use
   AMAs create a framework for cap-and-trade systems and long-term storage credits, allowing water users to store and trade groundwater in aquifers, which can help manage supply during droughts without depleting the aquifer azwaterblueprint.asu.edu.
6. Local Input

Each AMA has a five-member advisory council appointed by the Governor as established by the Groundwater Code.  Members are appointed for six0year terms to represent groundwater users in their respective AMA.  Each Groundwater Users Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations to the AMA Director (ADWR Director) on ground water management programs and policies within the AMA.

In short: An AMA is “good” for an aquifer because it regulates pumping, enforces conservation, and ensures the aquifer can continue to recharge and supply water for both current and future needs. Without AMAs, Arizona’s major aquifers — especially in the Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal basins — would face rapid depletion due to high demand and limited recharge.