The Arizona Water Banking Authority: A descriptive analysis from conception to legislation

The goal of this dissertation was preparation of a written record of the genesis and development of the Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA). The AWBA is a unique planning mechanism that was created by House Bill 2494 in 1996 that has provided significant benefit to the citizens of Arizona by insuring the availability of long term water supplies. Despite that, prior to this dissertation, there was no written documentation that detailed the process of the development of the AWBA.; This dissertation was completed using a qualitative research strategy. Consequently, the methods utilized in this research project can be used as an example by others conducting similar qualitative research. This study utilized personal interviews as the primary source of data to prepare the descriptive analysis of the evolution of the AWBA from idea to law.; This description of the AWBA includes the historical context (both long and short-term) within which the AWBA developed including the disposition of the relationship between the states of the Colorado River basin, a discussion of the Law of the Colorado River and issues related to the Central Arizona Project. It also details the primary reason the AWBA was needed: Arizona's underutilization of its Colorado River entitlement. It concludes with a discussion of the process by which the concept of a water bank ultimately became the AWBA and an examination of the ways in which the AWBA has altered the management regime of the Colorado River. This study provides a description of the development and implementation of a successful planning program.