amvv'?la ONE FOR October 25, 2018 Thomas Buschatzke, Director Arizona Department of Water Resources Ted Cooke, General Manager Central Arizona Water Conservation District Dear Director Buschatzke and Mr. Cooke: RE: Statement of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association regarding the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan As the Board of Directors for the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA), we state the following positions regarding the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan: AMWUA agrees Arizona should implement the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan AMWUA recognizes the growing risk that historic drought and the structural deficit have placed on our vital Colorado River supplies. 0 AMWUA understands that to reduce the risk to the Colorado River through we must accept earlier and larger cuts to our water supplies than under the existing 2007 Interim Guidelines as well as bear greater costs for our water delivered by the Central Arizona Project. This is most evident with Non-Indian Agriculture (NIA) Priority water not being available in a Tier 2 shortage under Municipalities with contracts for Non?Indian Agriculture (NIA) priority water face significant cuts under Those municipalities must be able to maximize the use of that water while it is accessible for the benefit of their citizens who invested in it. The must be implemented in a way that does not weaken members? federal contract rights or their ability to manage their water. These ground rules have provided the context in which for decades our members have planned and invested for water security and resiliency on behalf of their residents and industries. AMWUA will unequivocally challenge any attempt to restrict or undermine our members? ability to use their water for the benefit of their ratepayers, including the ability to store their Colorado River water and reclaimed water underground; any attempt to do so would preclude our ability to support the implementation of Arizona Municipal Water Users Association 3003 N. Central Ave., Suite 1550, Phoenix, Arizona 85012 0 P: (602) 248-8482 F: (602) 248-8423 0 amwua.org The must be implemented in a way that respects the CAP priority system and does not add additional risk to higher priority contracts. 0 Since Arizona will be experiencing its first Colorado River shortage, precedent will be set by the actions taken and it is critical we get it right. 0 AMWUA cities have offered voluntary, positive and transactional solutions to assist the implementation of in Arizona that respect the priority system. The final implementation package for in Arizona must strengthen Arizona's Colorado River supply while not weakening our long-term water management, which is the foundation of Arizona?s economy and the quality of life for its current and future citizens. Councilmember Eddie Cook, Vice-President Town of Gilbert 1 Carlat, Secretary/Treasurer Councilmember Pat Dennis ria City of Avondale Ice Mayor Ren? Lope Respectfully, Councilmember Bart Turner City of Chandler City of Glendale Councilmember Sheri Lauritano - Councilmember Kevin Thompson City of Goodyear City of Mesa Mayor Thelda Williams Vice Mayor Lauren Kuby City of Phoenix City of Tempe cc: Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee