AGP Executive Report

Colorado River: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal plans that could sharply cut Lower Basin supplies, arguing the plan unfairly shifts the burden downstream. City Water Plans: Mesa is preparing for a loss of nearly 12,000 acre-feet—more than a fifth of its Colorado River allocation—and weighing conservation measures and costlier supplies. Tucson is also reassessing water use as cuts loom. Reservoirs: Recent storms lifted Lake Powell about three feet, but Lake Mead hit record lows; the reservoirs together held 12 million acre-feet, far below the 43.3 million recorded in October 2000. Wildlife: Arizona’s Apache trout has rebounded enough to leave the endangered species list, with 30 genetically pure populations across 175 miles of habitat. Wildfire and the species’ limited range remain concerns. Land and Mining: Border wall construction threatens old-growth trees and sacred saguaros, while rising demand for copper is intensifying concerns about mining’s water use and contamination risks.

Colorado River Fight: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging a federal plan that could cut Lower Basin water supplies. Gov. Katie Hobbs says the plan fails to hold Upper Basin states accountable for deliveries as Lake Mead and Lake Powell remain dangerously low. Data Center Pressure: Opposition is growing over the facilities’ water and power demands. Arizona residents have raised concerns about nearby projects, while Attorney General Kris Mayes is pressing for an audit of whether utilities shifted as much as $600 million in gas costs onto other customers. Wildlife and Sacred Lands: In Mesa, responders rescued an owl dangling from a power pole after it became tangled in discarded fishing line. Meanwhile, Tohono O’odham members are opposing border-wall work that threatens sacred saguaros. Colorado River Access: Falling Lake Powell levels have also sharply limited public access to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, a sacred site for Native communities.

Utility Oversight: New questions are emerging about Arizona Corporation Commission ties to utilities as critics allege APS may have shifted up to $600 million in gas costs onto other customers, intensifying concerns over data-center-driven bills. Colorado River: Arizona is joining Nevada’s lawsuit against federal water-cut plans. The proposal calls for Lower Basin states to cut use by 1.25 million acre-feet annually in 2027 and 2028, with Arizona facing the largest share. Lake Powell: Falling water levels have made access to sacred Rainbow Bridge difficult: boat docks are gone, and visitors now face a steep, muddy hike or a 14-mile route requiring Navajo Nation permission. Winter Water: Forecasters expect a warmer, wetter U.S. winter under a strong El Niño, raising hopes that precipitation could help replenish Arizona aquifers. Borderlands: Border barrier construction is drawing concern over threats to old-growth trees and sacred saguaros.

Colorado River: Arizona moved to join Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal water rules, arguing the proposed cuts unfairly burden the Lower Basin. Arizona could lose 760,000 acre-feet a year in 2027 and 2028, putting pressure on water supplies and the Central Arizona Project. Water Solutions: ASU celebrated its Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, highlighting work with state, tribal, farming and community partners to develop practical water solutions. Drought Outlook: Recent rain eased drought in parts of Arizona, but officials say years of heat and dryness remain a concern. Lake Mead’s forecast has improved, though the reservoir remains near historic lows. Land and Wildlife: Border-wall construction threatens old-growth trees in southern Arizona, while a lawsuit says federal officials failed to keep cattle out of protected wildlife habitat. Development Pressure: Arizona residents are voicing concerns about data centers’ effects on energy, water and nearby communities.

Water: Gov. Katie Hobbs defended wastewater recycling as Arizona seeks new supplies. Lake Mead projections have improved, but warnings about the state’s drying Colorado River lifeline remain. Data Centers: Arizona residents are voicing concerns about nearby data center projects, and Attorney General Kris Mayes says she’ll explore nuisance laws to address unwanted development. The projects also raise questions about power and water use. Public Lands: The Grand Canyon is weighing year-round access to the North Rim and more development during fire recovery. Borderlands: Border wall construction threatens old-growth trees in Arizona, while Tohono O’odham residents are marching as crews prepare to remove sacred saguaros. Mining: South32’s Hermosa project near Tucson has completed federal permitting as the first mining project covered by FAST-41. Meanwhile, Indigenous communities continue raising concerns about uranium transport and groundwater near the Pinyon Plain Mine.

Data Center Pushback: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is exploring nuisance law to curb unwanted data center development, as Ahwatukee residents report construction noise, dust and pollution near homes. Border Wall Impacts: Construction near Lochiel is moving ahead despite protests over old-growth cottonwoods and other sensitive habitat; Tohono O’odham members are also fighting removal of sacred saguaros. Colorado River: New projections offer a modest reprieve for Lake Mead and Lake Powell, but Mead could still fall near 1,008 feet by July 2027—nowhere close to surplus. Wildlife Protection: Conservation groups are suing federal agencies, alleging stray cattle are damaging upper Verde River habitat for three protected species. Local Climate Action: Tucson doubled its youth climate-project fund to $100,000, supporting efforts focused on heat, water conservation, waste and transportation. Arizona Wildlife: A genetic study found today’s spotted bats in a northern Arizona cave share a maternal lineage with bats that lived there up to 2,100 years ago.

Water Security: Arizona’s Colorado River lifeline is under growing strain, with past warnings about the Central Arizona Project’s future largely ignored. Gov. Katie Hobbs is backing an ASU initiative developing ways to measure, reuse and conserve water, while Peoria has outlined a $1.2 billion water strategy. Mining and Groundwater: Florence Copper has launched the first new U.S. copper mining operation since 2008, following years of local concern over risks to underground drinking water. Tribal Lands: Tohono O’odham are opposing border-wall work that threatens sacred saguaros. Weather Outlook: Forecasters expect a warmer, wetter U.S. winter as El Niño strengthens; recent rain has eased drought in parts of Arizona, though significant dryness persists across the Southwest. Local Oversight: Arizona is seeking public feedback on a wastewater plan for Patagonia Lake.

Data Center Debate: Dozens of Mesa residents pressed Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes about data center development, focusing on a proposed site near Phoenix. Mayes has called for a moratorium, while business groups argue her position is inconsistent. Water and Parks: Arizona is seeking public comment on a wastewater permit change at Patagonia Lake State Park. The plan would use lined basins to hold and evaporate treated wastewater, with emergency discharge to a wash that flows into the lake. Mining and Wildlife: South32’s Hermosa mine is advancing plans for a road, tailings facility and power line on Forest Service land. Conservation groups are suing, arguing federal approval fails to protect endangered species and habitat. Tribal Lands: The Tohono O’odham Nation remains on alert over efforts to remove sacred saguaros for the border wall.**

Data Center Debate: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes was set to discuss data center growth at a Mesa town hall, as supporters tout jobs and tax revenue and residents weigh the costs of rapid expansion. Water and Elections: Water access is emerging as a key concern for Arizona voters. New NASA satellite findings also show major river-model errors, especially on waterways shaped by dams and reservoirs, raising questions for Western water planning. Tribal Lands: O’odham leaders remain vigilant against efforts to remove sacred saguaros for the border wall. Wildlife: Conservationists challenged the federal label “nonessential” for Mexican gray wolves, a rare population spanning Arizona and New Mexico, arguing it leaves the animals without adequate protection. Grand Canyon Recovery: North Rim tourism businesses are still waiting for faster repairs after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire; the area remains without drinking water. Conservation: Arizona voters overwhelmingly oppose eliminating national monuments, while a new report finds nearly 60% of Arizona Latinos see environmental conditions as a major health concern. Species Recovery: Eighteen endangered black-footed ferrets were released in northern Arizona to help rebuild the population.

Tucson Landfill: Rio Nuevo approved $10,000 for an environmental assessment of the old A Mountain landfill, where contamination may be near the water table. Full cleanup could cost an estimated $50 million. Public Lands and Water: A poll found eight in 10 Arizona voters oppose shrinking national monuments, while nine in 10 say protecting clean drinking water is a key reason to preserve them. Water is also a growing election issue: Phoenix says 7,000 overdue accounts owe $24 million, and shutoffs could begin next month. Wildlife: Conservationists are challenging the federal government’s “nonessential” designation for Arizona’s and New Mexico’s Mexican gray wolves, arguing it leaves the endangered population with fewer protections.

Borderlands: A public-comment period has closed on CBP’s plan for 225 miles of secondary barriers across Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties. Proposed sections could cross protected national monuments and reach into Nogales and Douglas; no final decision was reported. Wildlife: Arizona Game and Fish warns that outdoor pumpkins and other edible decorations can attract javelinas, coyotes and other animals, raising risks for people and pets. Water and Energy: Water access is emerging as a top concern for Arizona voters amid pressure on Colorado River supplies. Tucson voters will also decide Proposition 421, which would support a community climate-resilience investment tied to the city’s utility franchise agreement. Local Impacts: A report finds nearly 60% of Arizona Latinos view environmental conditions as a major health concern. In Pima County, proposed rules target new data centers, though questions remain about existing zoning.

Water and Elections: Arizona voters now rank water as their top concern, ahead of immigration and affordability, as drought sharpens questions about the state’s water future. Environmental Health: Nearly 60% of Arizona Latinos say environmental conditions are a major health concern for their families; Hispanic households also spend 42% more of their income on energy than the national average. Wildlife: Arizona’s fireflies depend on rivers and perennial wetlands—habitats conservationists say are scarce and especially precious in the desert state. Borderlands: Tohono O’odham members are fighting saguaro removal linked to border construction, while crews have cut down a roughly 200-year-old cottonwood used by protesters. Wildfire and Homes: More people are living in Arizona’s fire-prone wildland-urban areas, adding to insurance risks; state homeowners’ premiums rose 20% from 2018 to 2022. Data Centers: Pima County’s proposed rules target new data center projects, but how existing zoning applies remains unresolved.

Wildfire Risk: As more Arizonans build near forests, homeowners face rising insurance costs and fewer coverage options. Coconino County homes in the wildland-urban interface grew 70% from 1990 to 2020; statewide premiums rose 20% between 2018 and 2022. Water and Data Centers: Water is a top concern for Arizona voters, as Colorado River cuts and the Phoenix area’s proposed data-center boom add pressure to scarce supplies. Pima County is weighing rules for new data centers, while questions remain about older projects. Border and Wildlife: Tohono O’odham members and conservation advocates are opposing border construction that threatens a culturally significant “grandmother” tree and fragments habitat and wildlife routes along the Arizona-Mexico border. Public Lands: More than a million people commented on a proposal to rescind federal protections for roadless forests; an analysis found more than 99% of unique comments opposed the change.

Borderlands: Tohono O’odham leaders and allies warn that wall construction threatens sacred lands and thousands of saguaros. In Lochiel, contractors felled a cottonwood estimated to be 150 to 250 years old after clearing a protest camp. Wildlife Recovery: Arizona Game and Fish released 24 endangered black-footed ferrets in Yavapai and Coconino counties, hoping they will breed and boost the state’s population. Water Security: A new analysis spotlights Page’s reliance on Lake Powell and the risks facing small communities with few backup supplies if reservoirs fall. Conservation: Research on spotted bats found that bats in a northern Arizona cave share maternal DNA with individuals that lived there as far back as 2,100 years ago, underscoring the cave’s importance to the species’ genetic diversity. Energy Bills: APS customers will get a one-time $14.70 November credit after renewable-energy program funds built up an uncommitted balance.

Borderlands: Federal agents cleared a months-long protest and contractors felled a 150- to 250-year-old cottonwood near Lochiel for border-wall construction. The Tohono O’odham Nation is also fighting planned wall work that could remove thousands of saguaros and damage sacred land. Water Security: A new analysis highlights how communities with few backup supplies could be vulnerable if Lake Powell or Lake Mead levels fall; Page relies on Lake Powell, though a 2023 project added a way to draw water at lower lake levels. Data Centers: Pima County is drafting rules that would send large new data centers through public hearings and limit water-intensive open-loop cooling. Residents have raised concerns about noise, water use and siting; a county vote is expected in December. Grand Canyon: North Rim businesses are still waiting for faster post-fire repairs. The 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed water infrastructure, and the North Rim remains without drinking water. Wildlife: Research on spotted bats found that a northern Arizona cave has sheltered a genetically important population for thousands of years, underscoring the region’s role in protecting the species.

Borderlands: A 200-year-old “grandmother” cottonwood near Lochiel was cut down for border-wall construction after federal agents removed protesters. A trapped wolf later crossed back into New Mexico near another section of border work, underscoring concerns about wildlife movement. Public Input: Customs and Border Protection awarded a $63 million contract for an expanded I-19 checkpoint near Tubac without public comment or environmental review, despite county opposition and unresolved land questions. Water and Growth: Pima County is drafting rules that would require public hearings for large data centers, with residents raising concerns about noise and water use; a vote is expected in December. Grand Canyon Recovery: More than a year after the Dragon Bravo Fire, the North Rim still lacks drinking water, and tourism businesses are waiting for Congress to speed rebuilding. Arizona Water: A report on the Rio Verde Foothills’ response to its water crisis raises questions about whether rural communities can afford similar fixes.