Note: An earlier version of this press release misattributed policy recommendations to the U.S. Geological Survey, which is a purely research-oriented agency. The misattribution was due to unclear references in a Prescott  Courier article about the report. The reference has been removed. We apologize for any confusion.

Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva will co-host a public meeting Nov. 7 in Tucson to discuss Arizona’s water supply and a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study predicting significant hardship as the population continues to grow. According to the study, Arizona has depleted its ground water over the last 70 years by 74.5 million acre-feet – about three times the maximum storage capacity of Lake Powell.

The study authors, Dr. James Leenhouts and Dr. Fred Tillman, will present and explain the findings and take audience questions. Rep. Grijalva will introduce the authors and speak about the study’s public policy implications. Anyone interested in attending this limited seating event should RSVP to Jose Miranda in Rep. Grijalva’s Tucson office at (520) 622-6788.

“This is public interest research no one can afford to ignore,” Grijalva said. “We need to make decisions about water use, farming, mining, the Colorado River and our statewide economy that won’t leave our children facing a dust bowl. This conversation is overdue and needs to lead to some crucial decisions as soon as possible, because we can’t afford to bury our heads in the sand.”

For more information about the study, see this USGS information sheet: http://on.doi.gov/vhJvOZ. A full copy of the report is available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5071/.

What: Meeting with Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva and U.S. Geological Society officials on the future of Arizona’s water supply

Where: University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, Sol Resnick Conference Room, 350 N. Campbell

When: Nov. 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.