The Chino Valley Town Council won't get its first look at proposed ordinances on water sustainability, conservation and historically irrigated acres in the Big Chino Sub-Basin in a special study session Dec. 1.
Mark Holmes, Water Resources director, said because of the size of the proposal and some misinformation currently circulating in the community the town has decided to separate the proposal into smaller pieces and discuss it thoroughly in numerous council study sessions early next year.
"I look forward to participating with the town in reviewing and providing input for a finished product that is acceptable to the stakeholders and residents," Bright Star's Operations Director Charlie Arnold said.
Because of pressing deadlines, Holmes said, the HIA (historically irrigated acres) water component, which is "extremely time sensitive," will go before the council for discussion and possible adoption at its Dec. 10 meeting.
Holmes said he is distressed by recent statements local master gardener, business owner and Courier columnist Ken Lain made when he wrote in a recent column, "The town of Chino Valley will consider adopting an 84-page law that completely bans all water use for landscapes, washing cars, kids playing on Slip 'n Slides, horses, vegetable gardens, or any other outdoor use of water. Even pools and spas are at risk!"
In 2008, Holmes said, the council directed him and the stakeholders to come up with a water conservation ordinance. This document is the result of 1.5 years of meetings of stakeholders - landscape nurseries, landscape architects, Yavapai County Contractors Association, developers, landowners and Chino Valley residents, he said.
"The landscapers came to only three of our stakeholders meetings on these codes," Holmes said. "In October 2008, they walked away from the table," he said. "However, they did have one landscaper at all our meetings. And he did give some input."
Later, he and Town Manager Jerry Stricklin agreed the Yavapai County Nursery and Landscape Association could create and present its proposal to the council. Lain, a member of the association, said Wednesday he can give the association's presentation at one or several of the council's future study sessions on the town's proposal.
Contrary to what Lain says, Holmes said, the proposed ordinance does not ban the use of water for one's landscape. Lain was not immediately available for comment on Holmes' statements.
Holmes said residents must remember Chino Valley has no water resources. The majority of this proposal, he said, deals with future HIA water. Residents can't use HIA water for landscape, and can use HIA water only for interior uses in any development.
He said the document states developers need to find an alternate water supply for landscape in new developments. The plan tries to get landscapers, developers and engineers at the designing stage of the project instead of at the back end, he said.
Developers can make central retention or recharge basins in their developments and let the town recover the water and deliver it in potable form. That takes a Recharge and Recovery Permit through the Arizona Department of Water Resources permit.
If a developer doesn't want to use a central retention basin, Holmes said he or she can look at individual water recapture systems with small tanks to provide an alternate water supply for outdoor use. The developers also can partner with the town, which is doing a storm water master plan, to capture as much water as they can and get it into the recharge site.
Holmes said the ordinance is versatile. "It doesn't tell anyone what to do. It sets performance standards," he said.
Holmes said the ordinance doesn't ban the washing of cars as Lain contends. He also contends the proposed ordinance protects existing exempt wells and their owners. "We're ensuring they have a right," he said.
The nursery association contends this is not right because the ordinance says owners of new residential properties along a street where a town water main is must hook up to the system, and they can't drill any new wells.
Holmes said the ordinance is just complying with House Bill 2277, which states property owners can't drill wells within 100 feet of existing water line.
The association also contends the ordinance bans Slip 'n Slide artificial water features that use less than 150 gallons of water. Holmes said the ordinance permits Slip 'n Slide or other artificial water features and encourages the use of a recirculation pump where feasible. If people are using HIA water they must find an alternate water supply.
After the council adopts the ordinance, the document states developers can get a Permanent Artificial Water Feature Permit to use more than 150 gallons of water. However, it must use a recirculating pump.
Holmes said contrary to the association's contention, the proposed ordinance does not prohibit the watering of horses or vegetable gardens. It requires an alternate water supply.
The Yavapai County Nursery and Landscape Association also doesn't believe drought guidelines should be in the ordinance.
Holmes said restrictions are necessary during water shortage. An example would be if the town's water pump fails or if there is an extended drought.
Exempt well: means a well having a pump with a maximum capacity of not more than thirty-five gallons per minute which is used to withdraw groundwater pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-454. A.R.S. § 45-402(8).
Exempt wells are small non-irrigation wells, typically used to provide water for domestic purposes. In active management areas, withdrawals of groundwater from exempt wells for non-irrigation uses other than domestic purposes and stock watering shall not exceed 10 acre-feet per year. A.R.S. § 45-454(B)(2).
Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Dean R
I sent an email to Mark holmes earlier this month asking him about HIA, which is what the meeting on the 10th will be about. Some of the comment articles posted are correct in thier assumptions. This is about "New Developments and growth" and I quote from his e-mail "However, the most significant fact is that if we are unable to import that water supply, Chino Valley will not be able to ever have another planned area development or subdivision,which would then allow Chino Valley to only grow based off of lot splits." So if we stay the same size and not grow we have enough water, if we grow at a large rate we will not have enough water. Im fine with staying the same size, I moved to a small town and I want it to stay that way. I dont need a down town, a Wall Mart,a bunch of cookie cutter neighborhood's, Like a previous commenter wrote "when those who are here now are here because they like rural living, with gardens and horses and such?" This ordinance helps or starts to limit that. It seems like what this is is to rob Peter to Pay paul (the Current residence are Peter). Even though the ordinance states that already installed or "Exempt Wells" will not be touched it doesnt states what an exempt well is. From my understanding it is a well that produces 30-35 gallons a minute or less, which can be changed by the Czar at any time im sure.
Everybody needs to read the ordinance because the verbage says you are not included but then has another rule which sill include you in the law, its language is very tricky.
Also look at Prop 401 from Prescott, I havent read it yet but I hear that it has a lot to do with our problem.
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Concerned Chino Valley Resident
To Mr. Holmes, Town Council and Mayor: What is your real purpose in passing this water ordinance? Do you wish to deprive farmers, ranchers and others of their livelihood by curtailing their use of water? You must have plans to "sell" OUR water to other communities, or otherwise use it for your own profit. This is all about money, isn't it? (Your money, that is.) Chino is becoming more and more of an undesirable place to live. I have lived here for 50 years and have never heard of anything so ridiculous as this water proposal. Why don't you all resign and let real people have a say in their lives. Next, you will start patroling us for flushing the toilet too many times!
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009
Article comment by:
John
So if there is "plenty of water running underneath us", how come Del Rio Springs has been drying up for so many years? It's certainly not just because of the drought?
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
CV Citizen
How many of these decision makers actually live in Chino Valley???? Will this effect them directly??? I dont think sooo.
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Urgency why? Mr. Holmes
Mr. Holmes says the town must vote with urgency on Dec 10 to change how they deal with HIA water, historically irrigated acres, that just can't be true. Historically irrigated means the wells have always been pumping on garlic farms north of Chino Valley; the town is simply going to keep pumping these wells and point the water toward Chino Valley. Smart move on the towns part, but fear mongering and urgency from Mr. Holmes part is not needed nor welcome.
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
kedron brook
thank You to all above who replied to the article. We need to let all know that "we are watching"
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
uhhhh duh, you just voted them in...... Now the nay-sayers want a recall?
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Peter Bologna Jr.
People of Chino Valley "we need to wake up". APS built a Nuclear Power Plant that was suppose to save us money, however, they sold electric power to another state & our rates are still climbing. I moved to Chino Valley knowing there was sufficent water. Now that I am here I have been reading in The Courier that Mr. Holmes stated that Chino Valley does not have water resources. I have read the proposal 3 or 4 times. I cannot believe that Mr. Holmes and his council are interfaring with peoples lifestyles by restricting them of water usage. This sounds like a Global Warming Scan. Our sewer rates plus water charges are outrageous enough now with this poor economy. So many people are out of work and losing their homes. We need to stop Mr. Holmes & his council. Someone is trying to make a monopoly of Chino Valley for their own benefit. We need to organize & investigate to remove these people off the board before anymore harm is done. I feel these restrictions will stop people & business from coming here.
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Kay, in W.A.
Hi my name is Kay, and I am a water-holic. My obsession with water began a long time ago, Cant remember when, but due to this addiction, I almost lost every thing, my garden, house plants, the grass yard, My animals, I am a user, I use it every day, drink it, bathe in it, drown all my sorrows with it, I even use it to cook and even clean with it. I lost all my freedom to it. Are there anymore like me?
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Change for the better!
So does this mean we have to obtain a permit when ever we want to get a wade pool for our kids? Or a garden permit, paying a fee and filling out paper work, explaining how much water we can use, Will their be an inspector to make sure the kiddy pool used the amount allotted? The permit form for a garden in ones own yard ,will land owners have to get permission for how much corn, zucchini, and tomatoes and other veggies, and again an inspector comes out to make sure that the garden meets the new codes. If caught not getting and paying for a permit, will code enforcement come out and dump the kiddies pool and destroy the gardens? Will meters be required on all exempt wells, to make sure that well owners are not black marketing the water? Will citizens be taken away in hand cuffs for not filling out permits and obtaining proper approval from our town to allow kids to slip and slide? What will the permit turn around time be, what if the town gets backed up on permits? Sorry kids, we cant let you play in the water today, we haven’t got our permit back yet… or Oh no Its Saturday, I forgot to get a wade pool permit, the neighbors might tell and we will be fined. Surely our Town council is much to smart for all that! Lets go to the meetings and hear for our selves.
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Too many people....um no!
To too many people not enough water. I see your point. However, this new ordinance will close off all existing well, and prohibit the drilling of new wells. There is plenty of water running underneath us. Know your facts and read the ordinance before commenting. Thanks
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I read a good deal of the 80+ pages and saw much cause for concern and alarm, despite the newspaper reporting. Wake Up Chino Valley! Attend the meeting(s), IF you can keep track of the moving meeting date. Ask questions, demand real answers, not platitudes! Then be ready to VOTE!
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Lets be clear, the mayor and council is the reason the study session and the ordinance as written has been canceled, I am curious as to what Mark will present in December. But thank you to our current council for seeing the problem and being willing to work with the true "stake holders"
Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Too many people, not enough water
Isn't it the responsibility of town officials to look after the "health, safety, and welfare" of its town's residents. Well, if there isn't enough water for the people living here now, how can they possibly provide for the health, safety and welfare of a whole bunch more people coming here? By dividing up an already scarce supply even more? By expecting people to live like people do who live in city apartments, when those who are here now are here because they like rural living, with gardens and horses and such? Why should people be allowed to create huge subdivisions when we know there's not enough water? Is it a developer's right to deprive those already here of enjoying their property as they have for years (or generations)? Isn't buying property for speculation a little like gambling? Oh no, I forgot, the law allows you to build as many houses as you can even if there's not enough water.
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