Here we go again.
Earlier this year, thanks to actions spearheaded by the Arizona Attorney Generals Office and Arizona Land Department, Governor Katie Hobbs terminated the land leases of four Saudi owned farms for over pumping the local water supply in Butler Valley.
Yesterday (December 11, 2024,) the Arizona Attorney Generals Office headed by Kris Mayes announced another law suit against the Saudi owned Fondomonte Arizona for over pumping water to the point where the land is sinking and “depleting groundwater levels.”
In a press release from the Attorney General’s office, Ms. Mayes wrote:
“Fondomonte’s unsustainable groundwater pumping has caused devastating consequences for the Ranegras Plain Basin, putting the health and future of the residents of La Paz County at risk. Arizona law is clear: no company has the right to endanger an entire community’s health and safety for its own gain.”
The lawsuit, according to the release, seeks to:
“Declare Fondomonte’s activities a public nuisance, enjoin the company from further excessive groundwater pumping, and require the establishment of an abatement fund.”
Please click here to review the full complaint.
Some of Arizona’s Democratic Leaders have voiced approval for the Attorney General’s actions.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs posted:
Incoming Democratic Senate Leader Priya Sundareshan posted:
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Start with non expansion of ag areas in all basins. Then go to safe yield. Cant pump anymore than is recharged. Then have a discussion on pumping by any entity that has no local, sustaiablle interests in the basin, including any “pump it dry and run” types, from anywhere.
We can’t allow (foreign, especially) large corporations to continue to flout the law. I agree with you, expansion of agriculture needs to be limited. While that is true, AZ families should get LOCAL grocery sources, farmer’s markets that are locally run featuring local produce, from Arizona farms, and only groceries that aren’t grown and raised in Arizona should be allowed. Part of our problem is that we consume a lot of foreign-produced products, most of which come from large corporate chain grocers (which we have too many of, in my opinion).
I would enjoy shopping farmer’s markets that carry only Arizona produce, wouldn’t you? I deplore Kroger, Whole Foods (which lately carries only their own brand, and national brands, more and more ditching local products), and the like which are “one size fits all states.”
David,
What water policy are you proposing? Do you want to ban foreign people or businesses from farming in Arizona? Do you want to ban the export of farm products out of state? It’s a complicated issue. What are you proposing?
I think in this case, especially during a drought, local farmers should be given priority. The Ducey Administration should not have concluded this deal. It hurts the states water supply and, according to the news reports, harms the land the water is under. On another subject, what are you and your colleagues going to do about stopping out of state individuals or partners from fleecing state monies from the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts? Please advise and take care.
You did not answer my questions. Try that first.
When have you ever answered anyone’s questions on this forum? Seems when asked a question, particularly a tough one, your MO is to run & hide. And you’re trying to chastise David Gordon? Jeez.
John, my dude, Go back and read David’s very first sentence.
Every time with this guy.
The reading comprehension of an old shoe.
Not a good look for a “public servant” to demand answers to silly questions. Try again.
“Do you want to ban foreign people or businesses from farming in Arizona?”
So much for America First, let alone Arizona.
So much for States Rights! 🙂
Biggest hypocrite in the country.
With certain people, money is always principle 1.
Further “excessive ground water pumping”? Why not terminate the Saudi ground water pumping altogether?
Understand this was a Saudi/Ducey deal which once again shows Repugs value foreign profits over their constituents’ well being.