Abstract
Arizona's population jumped from 3.5 million in 1988 to 6 million in 2006 and demographers predict it will approach 11 million by the year 2030. In 2006, Arizona displaced Nevada as the fastest-growing state. Finding water to support this growth poses a special challenge, particularly in areas along the Colorado River. In these areas, the underground water is hydraulically connected to the river and, therefore, the collection of federal laws known as the "Law of the River" apply to the Colorado River. Because Arizona's portion of Colorado River water is almost completely allocated, the only viable source of Colorado River water available for new uses is the sale, lease, or exchange of existing water rights. Such transfers, often dubbed water marketing, raise significant and controversial issues. This Article will explore some of these challenges by examining case studies of individual transfers that have occurred or been proposed. As we shall see, the legal constraints are formidable, the transaction costs substantial, and the emotions highly charged.
How to Cite
49 Ariz. L. Rev. 235 (2007)
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