University of Arizona Law to Host Expert Panel on Arizona’s Drought Contingency Plan

Feb. 25, 2019

This March 25 event is free and open to the public

Colorado River in the Marble Canyon

Photo via Unsplash

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law is hosting a discussion panel to examine the background and details of Arizona’s recently passed Drought Contingency Plan, how it will affect Tucson and Arizona, who might benefit and suffer from the plan, and whether it actually conserves water. 

The panelists are: 

  • Christopher Avery, chief water counsel and principal assistant city attorney for the City of Tucson 
  • Kristen Engel, Charles E. Ares Professor of Law and member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 10 
  • Robert Glennon, Regents’ Professor and Morris K. Udall Professor of Law and Public Policy 

When: Monday, March 25, 2019; 5:30-6:30 p.m.   

Where: University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 1201 E. Speedway Blvd., Lewis Rothgerber Christie Lobby 

Who may attend: This event is free and open to the public. Register here.  

Background: On January 31, 2019, the Arizona House and Senate voted to approve Arizona’s Drought Contingency Plan, which Gov. Doug Ducey called “the most significant water legislation passed in nearly 40 years.” 

The Drought Contingency Plan aims to conserve water in Lake Mead, which supplies nearly 40 percent of Arizona’s water and is under threat from a 19-year drought. The Bureau of Reclamation ordered Arizona and other Western states that rely on the Colorado River to submit conservation plans or risk having the federal government implement cuts. 

The plan is still undergoing final negotiations and has not yet received formal approval from the Bureau of Reclamation. 

Event contact: Bernadette Wilkinson, senior program coordinator, bwilkins@email.arizona.edu, 520-626-1629, can answer questions about event details, registration and logistics, including questions about access or requests for any disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation on this event, such as ASL interpreting, CART captioning, captioned videos, Braille, wheelchair access, or electronic text, etc. 

Media contact: Tracy Mueller, assistant dean, external communications and marketing, tracymueller@email.arizona.edu, 520-621-1563