In response to federal changes in rules related to Waters of the United States (WOTUS), the Arizona legislature recognized a  “local control approach” was needed to ensure protection of our state’s important water resources, regardless of changes at the federal level. In 2021, the Arizona Legislature and Governor Doug Ducey gave ADEQ additional authority to create a state Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP)  See Arizona Revised Statutes §49-221 > 

ADEQ conducted rulemaking to develop the SWPP in 2022. The SWPP rules became effective Feb. 20, 2023 | See Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 11 >

A unique feature of SWPP is the Protected Surface Waters List (PSWL), which lists all federal and state protected waters on which regulatory decisions have been made in Arizona | Learn More >

To request materials related to the SWPP rulemaking, please contact the ADEQ Records Center | Learn How >