MOHAVE COUNTY – The massive Entrata development encompassing more than 10,000-acres of privately owned property in north Mohave County has secured major approvals from a state agency. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) in mid-Sept. determined the applicant has demonstrated an adequate 100-year water supply for the proposed project.
The man who began purchasing and conglomerating the property more than 15 years ago, Al Barbarich, is excited about the milestone achievement.
“We have a great team of hydrologists and engineers, and after two years of effort verifying the Detrital basin resources, I am really pleased to receive our 100-year Water Adequacy approvals from ADWR,” Barbarich said.
ADWR’s nod of approval follows extensive application of science, according to Entrata representative Kathy Tackett-Hicks.
“The modeling that ADWR requires has the applicant account for all existing and other committed groundwater uses in the basin, plus we add on what we are proposing,” Tackett-Hicks said. “The results of that study clearly indicated that the Detrital basin could accommodate a development of this size.”
ADWR’s Sept. 16 100-year water supply approvals involve Entrata at White Hills 25 miles south of Hoover Dam, and Entrata South, about ten miles further to the south near Pierce Ferry Road, and about 25 miles north of Kingman.
Entrata at White Hills contemplates development including 16,824 single-family residential lots, 6,431 multi-family lots, and 5,010.9 non-residential acres. The agency said it is satisfied that the applicant’s hydrologic study shows that development demand can be served by an existing well and 19 new wells proposed at various locations.
“The Department has determined that 13,648.45 acre-feet per year of groundwater will be physically available for 100 years … which is equivalent to the annual estimated water demand for the development,” an ADWR approval letter stated.
A second Sept. 16 letter said another hydrologic study proved an existing well and 11 proposed new wells can adequately supply a 5,325.39-acre-feet per year demand for development anticipated at Entrata South.
“The proposed development includes 8,525 single-family residential lots, 1,920 multi-family lots, and 1,151.70 non-residential acres,” ADWR said.
“These approvals are critical and I am thrilled to continue moving this project forward,” Barbarich said. He previously secured necessary plan amendment and rezoning approvals from the Mohave County Board of supervisors for the 20-50-year build out campaign.
Tackett-Hicks said Barbarich seeks a general plan amendment and rezoning from residential to a Special Development Manufacturing designation for 477-acres for Entrata at White Hills at the Nov. 13 planning and zoning commission meeting.
“The property we are rezoning butts up to a proposed giant solar plant, and having residential there is not optimal,” Tackett-Hicks explained.
Tackett-Hicks check listed an ambitious scope of work taking place behind the scenes to secure power, water and wastewater services and fiber connectivity for Entrata. She noted that a traffic engineer is engaged to work with the Arizona Department of Transportation on access issues associated with U.S. 93 as it is upgraded to Interstate 11.
Tackett-Hicks said that an airport feasibility study has been completed and that planning continues for a business park and various commercial development components. She said the team has had significant discussions with potential business park tenants and prospective home builders.
Tackett-Hicks said initial construction could involve a commercial entity or a nursery that Barbarich is planning to provide plants for the development. She said initial residential construction is 2-3 years away.
Dave Hawkins
