U.S. Water News Online
PHOENIX -- Nearly 90 percent of people surveyed favor giving rural leaders in Arizona the power to stop new subdivisions if developers can't guarantee a long-term water supply, according to a newspaper poll.
The Arizona Republic poll also shows that a majority of those surveyed believe the state Legislature should grant Gov. Janet Napolitano's request for the authority to impose water conservation measures if a serious need arises.
Since imposing strict limits on the use of groundwater in mostly urban areas 25 years ago, state leaders have left water policy to local communities, whose programs have varied widely depending on their resources.
During the drought, the vast majority of cities in Arizona have been reluctant to impose mandatory cutbacks in water use. Instead, many have urged residents to use less on a voluntary basis.
The governor can impose water restrictions throughout the state if a formal emergency is declared. Napolitano believes she should have more authority to implement conservation measures in times of drought.
In the Republic's poll, 57 percent of those asked favor giving Napolitano that power, while 37 percent oppose the idea.
Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed believe local governments should be able to consider water availability in making decisions about new development with 8 percent opposing the idea.
The newspaper's poll was based on telephone interviews with 602 Arizona adults from Jan. 3-5. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points
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