Gateway bound / p. 16
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Sunday, May 7, 2023
State department slammed for approving QC water deal
Inside
This Week
BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
S COMMUNITY .......... 14
Rotary Club of Queen Creek to hold first fundraiser.
SPORTS.................. 19
Challenges nothing daunting for new Casteel coach.
tate Attorney General Kris Mayes last month told the state Department of Water Resources that it demonstrated poor oversight by allowing Queen Creek’s $27 million deal to bring water from Arizona to bolster the town’s supply. In letters to the department last month, Mayes scolded department Director Tom Buschatzke for not being strict enough in his oversight of water rights transfers in Arizona and specifically cited the deal to route 2,033 acre-
feet of Colorado River water from GSC Farm in Cibola. “These water transfers could have grave consequences for local on-river communities and the River,” Mayes warned. She noted that when the department approved the transfer with the backing of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, it did not consider the long-term impact on either the river or people who live in the vicinity of Cibola. “When ADWR approved the Queen Creek transfer, it appeared to consider that transfer in isolation, and to ignore the cumulative effect that other anticipated transfers might
have,” Mayes wrote. “Thus, consideration of the foreseeable cumulative effects of these transfers is necessary to comply with ADWR’s overarching duty to formulate plans and develop programs for the practical and economical development, management, conservation and use of surface water, groundwater and the watersheds in this state, including the management of water quantity and quality,” she added. Mayes said the agency has legally been required since 1980 to determine there should
see WATER page 3
Town expanding ambulance services BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
GETOUT ................. 20
Limelight musical cast includes QC thespian.
COMMUNITY ............ 14 BUSINESS .................. 16 OPINION .................. 18 SPORTS .................... 19 GETOUT .................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS .............23
W
ith a decline in private emergency medical services in town, the Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department is filling the gap. It announced a vast $4.6 million expansion of its ambulance service, which includes a one-time $1.9-million outlay to purchase five new ambulances and $2.7-million dollars in ongoing operating expenses. The units will be staffed with full time, 24/7 paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
see AMBULANCE page 6
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Medic Jacob Olivarez-Giles and firefighter/medic Jake Peloquin of Queen Creek Fire and Medical ambulance based out of Fire Station 4 on Signal Butte Road. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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