The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reaffirmed its approval of extending the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal to Green Valley, to deliver Colorado River water to recharge the aquifer.
Inside Tucson Business says this has been fought by opponents of the proposed Rosemont Copper mine. The pipeline would be paid by mine owners Augusta Resources. The paper says pecan grove owner Farmer’s Investment Co. (Fico) is opposing both the pipeline and the mine. Pecan groves are among the largest water users in the area, which is undergoing notable ground subsidence due to pumping of groundwater [right, regional subsidence, from 2007 to 2008. Source, US Bur. of Rec].
BOR concluded that “plans for taking and using its CAP entitlement will not result in significant environmental impacts to the Green Valley/Sahuarita area, Upper Santa Cruz Sub basin of the Tucson Basin Aquifer, or the human environment in the vicinity.”
The BOR preferred alternative plan shows that the recharge by Rosemont could lead to a regional ground water level of 10s of feet, with a maximum of 100 feet at the center.