45-2452. Storage facility inventory

A. By March 1, 1997, the authority shall prepare and assess an inventory of existing storage facilities in this state to determine whether existing storage facilities are available to meet the authority's needs for the following ten years. The authority shall give special consideration to storage facilities constructed with monies from the state water storage fund, established pursuant to section 45-897.01. The inventory shall identify the location and capacity of each storage facility and the feasibility of the authority storing water at the identified facilities.

B. In assessing the inventory, the authority shall consult with the department of water resources to determine whether storage by the authority at each storage facility identified in the inventory as a potential storage facility to be used by the authority promotes the water management objectives set forth in chapter 2 of this title.

C. In assessing the inventory, the authority shall consult with CAWCD to determine whether central Arizona project water delivery and storage are feasible at each storage facility identified in the inventory as a potential storage facility to be used by the authority.

D. Based on the consultations with the department of water resources and the CAWCD and any other relevant factors, the authority shall determine whether storage facilities exist in this state to meet the water storage needs of the authority for the following ten years. In making this determination, the authority shall maximize to the extent feasible storage facilities constructed with monies from the state water storage fund, established pursuant to section 45-897.01.

E. The authority shall adopt the storage facility inventory if the authority determines that all of the following apply to the storage facility inventory:

1. It represents an accurate inventory of storage facilities in this state.

2. It accurately identifies those storage facilities that are available for the authority's use.

3. It accurately determines whether additional storage facilities are needed for the authority's use during the following ten years.

F. The authority shall subsequently update the storage facility inventory at least once every five years.