Settling Central Arizona Project issues has evolved into a long-running and complex saga. In a recent development, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation halted work on an environmental impact statement (EIS) reviewing proposed modifications of existing CAP water allocations. BuRec had little choice in the matter since Senator Jon Kyl inserted into an appropriations bill an amendment to cut off funding for work on the EIS.

According to a recent WorldWatch Institute study aquacultural or fish farming output is growing at 11 percent a year, representing the fastest growing sector of the world food economy. In fact, fish farming is likely to overtake cattle ranching as a global food source by the end of this decade, says the report.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a new initiative "GeoPowering the West," an effort to promote the development and use of geothermal power in the western states. According to DOE, all of Arizona's neighboring states have good geothermal resources, with California, Nevada and Utah listed as the top three states with electrical generation potential and New Mexico considered a high potential state. Arizona does not make the rankings.

They call themselves the Settlement Group, an organization made up of water users along the Upper Santa Cruz River in search of solutions to local water concerns. Its goals are ambitious and far-reaching, to settle the water rights of its members and to identify the best management plan for managing those rights.

With most of the water management action in Arizona occurring within Active Management Areas, residents in non-AMA regions are wanting attention also paid to their water management concerns. The issue is not or it should not be AMA vs. non-AMA, urban vs. rural or them vs. us. The issue is statewide water management, to ensure protection of all Arizona's water resources.

The year 2002 is being celebrated as the Year of Clean Water. Thirty years ago, on Oct. 18, 1979, the Clean Water Act became law, its passage representing a milestone in the efforts to protect our nation's water resources. The CWA set the goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. Much has been accomplished, and much remains to be done.

Tucson Water is breaking new ground in its efforts to provide its customers real-time water quality data, with results displayed on an interactive web site.

Legislation has been introduced to settle decades of litigation that has left many individuals and interests in the state uncertain about their water rights. Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain recently introduced the Arizona Water Settlements Act to ratify state water right settlements.

The 2002 farm bill provides a potential new funding source through its land retirement programs to support environmental and water conservation efforts in Arizona. Although Arizona traditionally has not gained much from these programs, recent developments could place the state in a more favorable funding position. This could be a timely opportunity since the new bill provides increased funding for land retirement programs.

In coverage of the current water events of the day desalination has lately been gathering greater national attention. Recent newsworthy events include the construction and operation of the Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant in Tampa. Meanwhile California is experiencing a surge of interest in desalination, with plants proposed or planned at 13 sites along the coast.