Big Chino subbasin; Verde River

HB 2731 allows cities or towns owning historically irrigated land in Arizona's Big Chino subbasin (part of the Verde River groundwater basin) to transport groundwater to adjacent areas or the Verde River headwaters. It sets limits: annual withdrawals cannot exceed twice a calculated "allotment" based on retired irrigated acres (1975-1990), or ten times that allotment over ten years. The bill also includes a specific provision for Prescott-area cities/towns: they may transport additional groundwater if they relinquish Central Arizona Project water and finalize a federally-approved settlement of tribal water rights. This directly affects local governments managing water rights in the Big Chino subbasin, with concrete limits tied to historical land use.