Arizona AG Kris Mayes revokes water permits for Saudi-owned farm - KTAR.com All Rights Reserved. The Saudi water company is raiding Arizonas groundwater because Saudi Arabia has nearly exhausted its own supplyan exchange that ought to put other states on high alert. Left: Arizona needs to apply groundwater pumping regulations across the entire state, not just in its metropolitan areas. In 2011, the Saudi agriculture giant Almarai acquired an Argentinian company called Fondomonte. Treating. But aquifers are drying. Assisted by the newly established University of Arizona, the farmers dug deep and elaborate irrigation . Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Mayes, along with hydrologists and environmental advocates, says more studies are needed of groundwater basins in rural areas such as La Paz County, an agricultural county of about 16,000 people. As a geographer who studies Saudi Arabias history, I cant help but think about how muddy the lines between victim and victimizer are when I hear this rhetoric. In Arizona, Fresh Scrutiny of Saudi-Owned Farm's Water Use. That makes the water underneath the desert in Butler Valley extremely valuable. He said the government has a duty to show private entities and foreign governments that Arizona is not for sale. This conversation must continue, and as Arizona revisits the way it manages this precious resource, we must include the empowerment of local communities to determine their water future.
Water permits for Saudi Arabia-owned farm in Arizona revoked Officials from both parties have criticized the use of state water by foreign-owned entities, withGov. Arizona officials and the Democratic governor have urged a judge to throw out Republican Kari Lakes last remaining election misconduct claim. Groundwater is unregulated in most rural areas of the state.
Saudis Buy Huge Arizona Farmland After Sucking their own Aquifers Dry Fondomonte, the corporationwhich is the target of the candidates outrage, is using an aquifer that, according to the article, could be tapped as a future water source for metro Phoenix and other urban areas., The controversy:Inside Arizona's sweet deal to a Saudi farm. "I think most Arizonans find it shocking that our government is giving the state's water away to a Saudi corporation at a time of extreme drought," Mayessaid. Moneygenerated from the rental and sale of state land is earmarked to help fund K-12 education. Much of it goes to private companies nearly free, including Saudi Arabias largest dairy company. She is the author of the forthcoming book Arid Empire: The Entangled Fates of Arizona and Arabia.. April 20, 2023 / 10:39 AM The Saudi farm scandal may have helped to spotlight the severity of Arizonas water crisis, but the state will have to go further to address the root cause. All rights reserved. In some cases, neighbors have complained that the corporate farms have used so much water that neighboring wells have run dry. Its lawyers have said previously that the company legally leased and purchased land in the U.S. and spent millions on infrastructure improvements. Fondomonte Arizona, a subsidiary of Almarai Co., has for nearly a decade grown alfalfa in the American Southwest that is sent to the Gulf kingdom to feed cows there. We have existing law that we dont think his being followed.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz- und Cookie-Einstellungen oder Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. The platform is designed to engage citizens and government leaders in a discussion about what needs improvement across the country. A Colorado web designer who the U.S. Supreme Court ruled could refuse to make a wedding website for gay couples had cited a request from a man who says he never asked to work with her, Ohios new budget could include almost $3 billion in income tax cuts, funding for universal school vouchers, bans on flavored vape products, and hundreds of other measures, Delaware lawmakers have given final approval to budget bills for the new fiscal year starting Saturday.
Opinion | A Saudi Arabian Dairy Giant in Siphoning Off Arizona's KTAR.com PHOENIX Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that drill permits for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in La Paz County have been revoked. Credit: 12News There's a water tower about 100 yards from the well. In an interview with The Associated Press, Attorney General Kris Mayes said she thought most Arizonans see it as outrageous that the state is allowing foreign-owned companies to stick a straw in our ground and use our water for free to grow alfalfa and send it home to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi company draws unlimited Arizona ground water to grow alfalfa amid Nazi ghost ships might be the least of our problems. Canada is the largest holder mainly of forestland. Suman Naishadham, Associated Press The state is dependent on the Colorado River, which has been depleted by overuse and climate change and hit extreme lows this year. Here's how to save your photos. Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1252, 602-496-8888
A tale of two deserts: Are Saudi cows to blame for Arizona's water Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich to force Fondomonte to pay the state as much as $38 million for the water pumped out of the Butler Valley basin over the past seven years. PHOENIX Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that drill permits for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in La Paz County have been revoked. The company does not pay for the water it uses. The country has practically exhausted its own underground aquifers there. It wont be easy. She said canceling the leases is an urgent concern because groundwater in the valley is supposed to be the state's emergency water supply during a water crisis. La Paz County supervisor Holly Irwin, who has been sounding the alarm about foreign-owned farms since they began operating there in 2015, said Fondomonte is growing alfalfa in the Arizona desert "because they've depleted their natural resource" back home.
Arizona AG revokes drill permits for Saudi company building wells Wells are running dry in drought-weary Southwest as farms guzzle water MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The water crisis here in Arizona goes from bad to worse. Saudi water deal threatening water supply in Phoenix. That's how much water would have been pumped from two proposed wells on a Saudi Arabia-owned farm in La Paz County. The farm uses the water to grow alfalfa, which is shipped back to Saudi Arabia and used as livestock feed.
Here's how Arizona built Saudi Arabia's farming empire - 12news.com The best states in the country excel in areas such as economy, fiscal stability and opportunity. In an interview with The Associated Press, Attorney General Kris Mayes said she thought most Arizonans see it as outrageous that the state is allowing foreign-owned companies to stick a straw in our ground and use our water for free to grow alfalfa and send it home to Saudi Arabia. Biden lays out "new path" for student loan relief after Supreme Court decision, Supreme Court strikes down Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning "Little Miss Sunshine" actor, dies at 89, Here's what the Supreme Court ruling means for your student debt, State Department report details failures in chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, Supreme Court sides with designer who declines to make same-sex wedding websites, Women face age bias at work, no matter how old they are, As student debt relief fails, some point to "hypocrisy" of PPP loans. "We want to terminate the Fondomonte lease and will examine all existing leases to ensure Arizonas water and natural resources primarily benefit Arizonans, not overseas corporations," Trumble said in a statement. Located on the borders of Arizona and Nevada, this desert valley is being farmed for hay and alfalfa using groundwater pulled from the Colorado River, with much of the hay exported to feed animals in Middleastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Now,worsening droughthas focused new attention on the company and whether Arizona should be doing more to protect its groundwater resources. It farms tens of thousands of acres in Argentina, which has also faced severe drought conditions in recent years. When you recognize its going far away, that the products and benefits of this water are exported overseas, that really provokes peoples attention.. Mayes'opponent in the attorney general's race, Republican Abe Hamadeh, said in a statement that "government should not be subsidizing private industry, especially when it involves private or foreign entities freely accessing and capitalizing off our natural resources.". That Fondomonte chose Arizona as a place to grow such crops has angered some in the state, which has faced two consecutive years of federal water cuts from the Colorado River, a primary water source for the state. Amid the worst drought in more than a millennium, which has left communities across the state with barren wells, the state is depleting what remains of its precious groundwater. U.S. farmers themselves export hay and other forage crops to the Middle East mainly to Saudi Arabia. Mayes is not the only candidate for top public officein Arizona calling for the leases to be terminated when contacted by The Republic. Arizona rescinded a pair of drilling permits that came amid a broader examination of the companys operations by Mayes, the Arizona attorney general. But the $25 per acre price is about one-sixth of the market price for unimproved farmland with flood irrigation today, according to Charlie Havranek, a Realtor at Southwest Land Associates. We need to have some sort of regulation so its not all just being pumped out of the ground, Irwin said.
The Water Wars of Arizona - The New York Times They have said the companies are exploiting Arizonas groundwater law that allows farms to pump as much water as they want in a time of drought. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Amid a broader investigation by the state attorney general, Arizona last week rescinded a pair of permits that would have allowed Fondomonte Arizona, a subsidiary of Almarai Co., to drill more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) into the water table to pump up to 3,000 gallons (11 kiloliters) of water per minute to irrigate its forage crops. Minnesotas Riverview Dairy company, for example, has a farm near Sunizona, Ariz., that has drained so much of the aquifer that local residents have seen their wells dry up. ", Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It farms tens of thousands of acres in Argentina, which has also faced severe drought conditions in recent years. In Arizona, Fondomonte can pump as much water as it wants at no cost. combat low water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The Arizona Republic recently reported about the bipartisan outrage regarding foreign investors exploiting, or arguably squandering, Arizona's water resources (" Arizona AG, governor. The Premier League club, who came under majority ownership by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) in October 2021, qualified for the Champions League at the end of last season after a 20 . However, alfalfa can be very water intensive which is being supplied by the ground water coming from Western Arizona. Meanwhile, in La Paz County, a private equity firm is buying up landfor the sole purpose of selling the water rightsto a suburb of Phoenix. The unsustainable alfalfa and dairy enterprise that Saudi Arabia set up in the wake of these visits drained the kingdoms groundwater, sowing the seeds for Saudi companies to look to Arizona for cheap water. 27 Jun 2023 08:36:10 Arizona is leasing farmland to a Saudi water company, straining aquifers, and threatening future water supply in Phoenix. The company, through its subsidiary Fondomonte, has been buying and leasing land across western Arizona since 2014. County leaders have voiced concerns over the future water supply. Its one of the most water intensive crops there are and just with the conditions out there, theyre able to do eight to nine cuts, harvests a year of alfalfa.. The State Department said a gunman who opened fire on the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and a local security guard working at the consulate were killed in an exchange of fire on Wednesday. While the taps are running dry and reservoirs are disappearing in Arizona, a corporate farm from Saudi Arabia is pumping massive amounts of groundwater to grow alfalfa for cows back in the Middle .
MSN This week, Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office uncovered the inconsistencies in applications for new wells for the company Fondomonte Arizona LLC, which uses sprinklers to grow alfalfa in La Paz County and exports it to feed dairy cattle in Saudi Arabia. But a more comprehensive approach, including planning and regulation, is necessary to sustain whatever progress we can make. We could start in 1848 when the U.S. acquired a large part of the Southwest. Arizona is one of the last places in the United States that should be reckless with its water resources. Katie Hobbs, also a Democrat, saying in her January state of the state address that she, too, would look into the practice. Water cannot be a commodity. The states groundwater, Hobbs said, should be used to support Arizonans, not foreign business interests.. First published on April 20, 2023 / 10:39 AM. The Saudi Arabian government had started to push agricultural companies to look abroad for water intensive crops. When you recognize its going far away, that the products and benefits of this water are exported overseas, that really provokes peoples attention.. While Canadian-controlled companies are by far the largest . Holly Irwin, a member of the La Paz County Board of Supervisors, has long opposed Fondomonte using water in the county. Although there are no records for how much Fondomonte is pumping out of the aquifer, a State Land Department report estimates the company is swallowing as much as 18,000 acre-feet every year enough water to supply 54,000 single-family homes. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. Copyright 2023 TheAssociated Press. Fondomonte pays only $25 per acre annually. Fondomonte did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the AP. From Reuters: There are ripple effects, and then there are ripple effects. Fondomonte pays only $25 per acre annually, which is about one-sixth of the market price for farm land in that area, according to experts interviewed by The Republic as well as the state's own mass appraisal for areas in and around Butler Valley. PHOENIX (AP) The state of Arizona has rescinded drilling permits for two water wells for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in the western portion of the state after authorities said they discovered inconsistencies in the company's well applications. The State Land Department says the market rate is $50 dollars per acre and it provides a 50% discount because it doesnt pay for improvements. Meanwhile, some California-based farms, facing tougher groundwater regulations at home, are looking to relocate to neighboring Arizona for cheap water. Katie Hobbs is urging President Joe Biden to use the Antiquities Act to designate the tribally proposed Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Saudi Arabia has stated their intention to rob Arizonans at the gas pump, but they are already stealing our water, said Representative Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, one of many politicians in the state to take aim at the Saudi agriculture deal. Even more concerning to some are the farms, with the largest chunks of land in La Paz County owned by a company in Saudi Arabia.
How Saudi Arabia's international search for water led them to Arizona The State Land Department is overseen byDucey, who appointed current Land Commissioner Lisa Atkins. PHOENIX (AP) The state of Arizona has rescinded drilling permits for two water wells for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in the western portion of the state after authorities said they discovered inconsistencies in the company's well applications.
Arizona Department of Water Resources | Protecting & enhancing Arizona In Arizona, fresh scrutiny of Saudi-owned farm's water use Kris Mayes:Democrat with rural roots wants to be Arizona's next attorney general.
The Plunder of Our Water Supply Has Already Begun - Esquire Water permits for Saudi Arabia-owned farm in Arizona revoked Fondomonte did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the AP. The United Arab Emirates-owned Al Dahra ACX Global Inc. grows forage crops in Arizona and California, and is a major North American exporter of hay. In most of rural Arizona, whoever has the money to drill a well can continue to pump till the very last drop. The company can then pump unlimited amounts of groundwater for essentially no cost. The state of Arizona has rescinded drilling permits for two water wells for a Saudi Arabia-owned alfalfa farm in the western portion of the state, Water Permits for Saudi Arabia-Owned Farm in Arizona Revoked. Several large corporate farms in western and southeastern Arizona have come under criticism for using large amounts of water as the southwestern United States is experiencing a severe drought. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/in-drought-stricken-arizona-fresh-scrutiny-of-saudi-arabia-owned-farms-water-use, Arizona House expels GOP lawmaker who presented unproven accusations, Arizonas conservative superintendent sets up critical race theory hotline, Governor creates commission to study Arizona prison problems, Persistent drought and overdevelopment cause record low water levels for tens of millions. Now, worsening drought has focused new attention on the company and whether Arizona should be doing more to protect its groundwater resources.
Saudi farms are exporting Arizona water back to Saudi Arabia Inside Saudi company's sweet water deal in Arizona Apple is shuttering My Photo Stream. This kind of race-to-the-bottom approach to water in Arizona is insupportable today, if it ever was. Migrating there, the settlers looked to the Middle East and decided to grow dates. That same month, Republican state legislators introduced a bill to prohibit sales of state lands to foreign governments, state enterprises and any company based in China, Russia or Saudi Arabia. Contact [emailprotected].
Arizona AG, governor candidates call for Saudi Arabian water leases Fondomonte declined CBS News' request for an interview or statement. Democraticattorney general candidate Kris Mayes is calling to investigate and potentially cancel the leases the State Land Department signed with a Saudi Arabian company that is pumping fromPhoenix's backup water supply in western Arizona. But he says there are days he can't provide enough water for everyone. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Biden lays out "new path" for student loan relief after Supreme Court decision, Supreme Court strikes down Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, Alan Arkin, Oscar-winning "Little Miss Sunshine" actor, dies at 89, Here's what the Supreme Court ruling means for your student debt, State Department report details failures in chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, Supreme Court sides with designer who declines to make same-sex wedding websites, Women face age bias at work, no matter how old they are, As student debt relief fails, some point to "hypocrisy" of PPP loans. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. Apple is shuttering My Photo Stream. In August, Kris Mayes, then a candidate for state attorney general, released a 16-point plan to stop what it called the Saudi water grab. Ms. Mayes, who narrowly won the November election (though results of an automatic recount are pending), has some good ideas.
Arizona AG vows to stop Saudi farms freely pumping groundwater - 12news.com Amid a backlash, the state legislature is considering a ban on most foreign-owned farms. Author: 12news.com Published: 8:27 PM MST June 12, 2022 One of the farms is located in Vicksburg and the other is in Butler Valley. Privately held Fondomonte California on Sunday announced that it bought 1,790 acres of farmland in Blythe, California an agricultural town along the Colorado River for nearly $32 million. In a county without a single lake or river, they told farmers to drill as deep as they wanted for water. This week, Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office uncovered the . Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report. Mount Rushmore Is a Portal to Communist Hell!!!
Sailor Fella on Twitter: "RT @LakotaMan1: Should foreign interests When Mayes brought the inconsistencies in the applications to the attention of state officials, they agreed to rescind the permits, which were approved in August. A version of this article appears in print on, Arizona Is in a Race to the Bottom of Its Water Wells, With Saudi Arabias Help, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/26/opinion/arizona-water-colorado-river-saudi-arabia.html. Here's how to save your photos. Local farmers are just realizing their water is being exported overseas . Frankly, I believe they are not doing their jobs, Mayes said about Arizonas Department of Water Resources oversight of rural areas. She also said in a statement that Arizona's Groundwater Management Act needs to be updated to give rural areas more tools for regulating groundwater pumping. Fondomonte, a Saudi company, exports the alfalfa to feed its cows in the Middle East. Two deep-water wells were. Some farms are foreign-owned and are shipping the crop to Saudi Arabia, where it's illegal to grow because it takes too much water. Fondomonte Arizona, a . Katie Hobbs signs off on $17 billion budget package, Democrats upset Arizona budget doesnt limit school voucher expansion, Years of drought have ratcheted up pressure on water users, https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment. Natalie Koch is a professor in Syracuse Universitys department of geography and the environment.
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