In the meantime, Freeman announced the formation of a non-profit organization focused on an even larger problem than pollution—the depletion of our groundwater. “I consider this a bigger issue,” she said, because, “if we don’t have any water, the pollution won’t matter.” Freeman explains that the Groundwater Awareness League aims to educate the public on the “dangerous levels of depletion and pollution of groundwater in Arizona, particularly the Santa Cruz Aquifer.” The group, she said, will encourage scientific research, synthesis of data from various water agencies, and formulating concrete measures to ensure the right of every Arizonan to a clean, health, and adequate water supply.” The group is based on a premise that defies conventional wisdom about water policy. Freeman says our present situation indicates that it’s definitely time for a change from the “old, antiquated rules of grandfathering of water rights.” “The truth is there is not water enough to sustain the traditional ‘me and my competitive attitude. We live in desert. Our water usage, the crops we grow, the animals we raise all have to reflect intelligent decisions about water usage. Grandmothering engenders an ‘us and we’ sharing attitude,” she says. Freeman’s track record shows she’s up to the tasks. It took a lot of perseverance, staying power (lots of trips to Phoenix) and commitment to plow through the piles of files to dig out the data she needed for the ADEQ hearing. But she did it. The former NASA researcher and technical writer has shown her mettle and learned a lot in the process. Since she’s willing to tackle the technical end, she chose board members for the new organization with business experience to advise her about financial matters. But she would also welcome the help of those with experience in mine engineering, hydrology, geology, and retired federal, state and county officials who have experience in water policy. Whether or not the laws governing water policy in Arizona need to be changed is for others to decide, she said. “My job is to get the figures out to the public, so they have the data to be stakeholder in meetings and decisions about water.” Freeman said she first became aware of the intensity of the problem when she examined federal reports about the percentage of water usage by agricultural interests. To continue to carry on this research, Freeman needs to get some donations. She has spent literally hundreds of hours, plus the expenses of traveling to Phoenix, getting copies of stacks of data, and maintaining two Web sites. Freeman said she will be applying for grants, but a public charity must gather 30 percent of its income from public donations. While she continues with the lengthy process of securing grants, she hopes the public will support her efforts in this important work. We certainly own Nancy Freeman a debt of gratitude and urge residents to support her research and volunteer their expertise. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Groundwater Awareness League, P. O. Box 934, Green Valley, AZ 85622. For more information, you may call Nancy at 207-6506 or go to her new Web site: www.G-A-L.info |