From: DH in Green Valley         Date: Sun, August 12, 2007 4:53 pm

Dear Mr. Gabaldón,

Thank you for your current newsletter which delivers details about the proposed CAP pipeline deal. My greatest concern is not with the pipeline itself but that its implementation would supply only a "drop in the bucket" compared to the area's overall requirements. Given the numbers in the newsletter, this "drop" accounts for only about three percent of the total. And that's assuming CAP is able to supply your full allocation going forward which is a somewhat dubious assumption in view of the current and forecasted drought conditions. I realize that you can only be responsible for the needs of Community Water but, as you indicated, the GV community as a whole faces a much larger problem with the depletion of our aquifer. And from what I've been able to gather from other sources, there is no single agency, elected official or any other person who will admit to having any authority for dealing with the larger picture. As someone who seems willing to do whatever it takes within your jurisdiction, can you offer any advice to the rest of us as to where we can apply some pressure in dealing with the big picture????

I think it would be of great service to the community at large if you were to somehow quantify the mitigating effect the implementation of this pipeline would have on the depletion of our aquifer. I'm afraid that most people are of the opinion that the pipeline will resolve the issue--even though you've indicated otherwise. Perhaps this could be done in a letter to the editor to the GV News.

And thank you for your leadership on this matter of great importance to all of us.

DH in Green Valley

 

Dear DH in Green Valley

Thank you for your e-mail. You identified the major water problem that has plagued the Green Valley/Sahuarita area for years; the lack of leadership to foster the development of a realistic long-term strategy for a sustainable water supply in the entire Green Valley/Sahuarita area. We have worked hard to protect the interests of our members and customers, but the issue of a sustainable water supply for the entire Santa Cruz Valley is beyond our mission. I am proud that Community Water has a 30 year track record of being proactive in support of water issues and I would be glad to discuss those efforts at another time.

A wise philosopher once said that in a fox hunt, if the dog at the front of the pack can't catch up to the fox, then the dogs behind it will not be able to either. I believe if we fail to gain support for a pipeline to bring in renewable water supply when it is free, I doubt we will be able to accomplish it when people will have to pay for it. Yet this pipeline is a key element for Community Water's strategic long-term plans for its sustainable water needs.

As a member of the co-op your support is critical right now. This pipeline is a step in the right direction; it is a key element of our long-term strategy plan for a sustainable water supply.

Start today by making calls to your GVCCC HOA President and your Pima County Supervisor and tell them to give their support for the proposed pipeline project. Then call your Governor and State representatives and let them know that you consider water in Green Valley a priority that should have their attention and support.

The following governmental agencies are some of the places that work on the big picture issues for our area, including water:

In addition to the State of Arizona you might want to gather the attention of our Federal President, Legislators and Agencies. Their focus has a wider breadth, but without their support projects like the CAP would not exist.

Even though the pipeline will not solve the problems of the entire area, it is a critical first step. In our August 2007 news letters we showed how much water is taken out by other users and it is clear that our use is a small percentage.

Thank you for the suggestion to clarify the magnitude of this mitigation. The implementation of this pipeline for the first 15 years would allow for local replenishment of 105,000 acre feet of water to match the estimated withdraws of the mine’s 100,000 acre feet. Each year thereafter, we will use the pipeline and recharge facility to replenish 7,000 acre per year or possibly treat it for direct use.

If the pipeline project does not happen then the mine will still draw an estimated 100,000 acre feet from the Green Valley/Sahuarita area. The mine will continue its original plan and replenish 105,000 acre feet of water in Marana, which is many miles down hill from us.

We need all of our members to encourage our elected representatives and our State agencies to work together to support implementation of sustainable water supplies for the whole Santa Cruz Valley.

Sincerely,

Community Water Company of Green Valley

Arturo Gabaldón

President