How to Clean a Sewer: Local and Federal Teamwork Can Reduce Phoenix’s Storm Water Pollution

50 Ariz. St. L.J. 1287 (2018). Andrea Gass.

This Comment argues that the federal government is best positioned to mandate reducing nonpoint source pollution, and it should not further delegate this responsibility to the states. Governors, as well as state and federal lawmakers, face regular elections in the short term that constrain their ability to regulate the environment in the long term. Voters do not target longstanding, entrenched federal regulations, but they might lash out against new local regulations. Federal aid can give states and local entities support to advance storm water cleanup efforts such as green infrastructure. Cleaner storm runoff would improve Arizona water appropriators’ supplies or provide a clean, new resource to recharge critical aquifers.

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