Providers, users join hands on CAP effort

A group of water companies and major water users in the Upper Santa Cruz Basin has begun working together on an effort to bring CAP water to the Green Valley/Sahuarita area to recharge the local aquifer.

Calling itself the Upper Santa Cruz Providers and Users Group (USC/PUG), the group is composed of the major providers and users, including mines, farms and golf courses in the Green Valley and Sahuarita area. It hopes to develop broad-based, long-term solutions to the region’s water concerns.

Among participants are: Richard and Nan Walden of Farmers Investment Co., Les Gunderson of the Green Valley Domestic Water Improvement District, and Harold Metz of the Twin Buttes Properties-Park Corp. The Community Water Co. also is involved, as is the Sahuarita Waters Co., which serves Rancho Sahuarita, and others.

The group has named as its facilitator Dennis Skelton, husband of Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton, and a retired Raytheon engineer and community leader.

The USC/PUG mission statement says it intends “to bring CAP and other renewable water resources to the greater Green Valley/Sahuarita region to meet the long-term demands on the local aquifer supporting growth, lifestyle and the environment.”

In addition to its core group of water providers and users, USC/PUG will seek input and advice from a broad spectrum of government, education and citizens groups.

Skelton said an Oct. 2, 2007 Pima County report on the declining water table in the Green Valley area galvanized local interests into creating an organization that will pursue common interests.

pfranchine@sahuaritasun.com | 547-9738