PHOENIX (AP) - Faced with reduced levels in Colorado River reservoirs, Gov. Doug Ducey says securing Arizona's water future is the most pressing issue facing the state "and the clock is ticking."
Ducey and top lawmakers from both parties appeared together Tuesday to offer bipartisan support for reaching a deal and winning legislative approval of it by Jan. 31.
A federal agency has set that deadline for Arizona to adopt a water conservation plan or the agency will impose its own restrictions.
Pinal County farmers who stand to lose a big chunk of water say the plan would likely require them to fallow up to 40 percent of farmland. They want the state to approve $10 million in funding to help them drill wells and build pipelines to rely more on ground water.
