If and when a pipeline were needed then we should allow our growth to pay for growth. Prescott owns 54.1% of the Big Chino, and is not in any position or need to tap into the Big Chino for the foreseeable future due to how well we have managed our current water. The impact on the Verde River if the pipeline is to proceed will be detrimental, and likely leave the city significantly exposed to legal action from Salt River Project (SRP). That will create a hefty tax burden for the citizens of Prescott. The pipeline will likely cost close to $300 million. There is Prescott Valley’s stake to consider and there is the impact on the Verde River. I plan to work with our regional neighbors on a mutually agreeable conservation policy, to drastically reduce pipeline needs. If we continue to manage our water at a sustainable rate, we may not need the Big Chino Water Ranch, nor the pipeline to import water from it. Water policy is key to safeguarding Prescott’s future. My intent is to return to a conservative water policy that’s good for Prescott, and not dictated by developer demands. Once those studies are finished, a long-range plan can be discussed. In addition, the ongoing studies of the effect of pumping from the BCWR on the Verde River are not yet complete.
At the present time, there does not appear to be a need to proceed with a pipeline. For now, the Big Chino Water Ranch (BCWR) acts like a ‘rainy day’ water savings account for Prescott.