Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) is requesting federal assistance to update the town of Page's water infrastructure.
The current system, which is run by Page Utility Enterprises (PUE), is over 60 years old, at risk of failure, and does not cover enough area as Page and the nearby Navajo Nation, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area have increased demand.
The 2020 Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) allocated up to $1.3 billion annually for five years to modernize infrastructure and expand recreation access across national parks and public lands, and now Rep. Crane and his fellow Arizona lawmakers are seeking $28.36 million of that funding to update the Page water infrastructure.
Key updates include the replacement of the current 12-inch pipeline and a new water intake and pump station on the south side of Lake Powell, which would allow water delivery capacity to double from 3.3 million gallons a day to 6.6 million gallons.
"I'm proud to lead this bipartisan letter to ensure Page and surrounding communities have reliable water delivery infrastructure," Rep. Crane said a statement. "With the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires devastating the region, we must do more for what is a critical gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon."
Joining Crane in the effort are fellow Arizona Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ).
The Arizona Congressman's effort comes on the heels of Republican gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson's fierce criticism of Governor Katie Hobbs' (D-AZ) water policy during a Gila County Republican Committee meeting.
"Water is a regional issue. It's a local issue," said Robson. "The governor is trying to do this one-size-fits-all approach, and it won't work."
Robson further suggested that "the best decisions are made at the local level, followed by the state and then the federal government."
