Should precious groundwater in rural Arizona be used to quench the thirst of men, women and children in Arizona or cows in Saudi Arabia?
Since this is Arizona, you already know the answer: Wow!
Newly elected state attorney general Chris Mays wants to change that, but recently said: I’ve never seen anything so bad The exploitation of our state’s rural groundwater has been a problem for a very long time and has been largely ignored by the Arizona legislature. Urban areas of Arizona have regulations regarding the pumping of groundwater. But in rural communities that make up most of the state, it’s free for everyone.
No Substantial Laws for Decades
Arizona Republic reporters Rob O’Dell and Ian James issued a thorough report on the situation last summer. They are renting thousands of acres of land managed by the Arizona Land Department from the Saudi company Fondmonte at a bargain price to grow as much alfalfa as they need to feed their cattle in between. I pointed out that it was sucking up water. east.
Sweet deal:Saudi farms pump water from Phoenix backup sources
This is necessary because Saudi Arabia has nearly depleted its own underground aquifers.
Saudi Arabia’s cows basically eat our water.
And they are doing so because no substantive law on groundwater regulation has passed Congress for decades.
In 2016, I spoke with La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin about the situation. she told me We want everyone to live here. We want farmers to do what they do because they are important to the local economy. I want the family that has lived here for generations to continue living here. But things have to change.
Mays Says ‘Every Day Matters’
Irwin is still at work. He still raises concerns. he’s still looking for action.
Just recently, Irwin told another reporter: And that’s something the states will have to deal with at some point. “
And at least one newly elected government official is listening.
Attorney General Mays said he would challenge the lease agreement with Saudi Arabia.
she said. That water comes out of the ground every day. Arizonas are right to be outraged that the state of Arizona allowed a Saudi-owned company to stick straws in the ground and suck up water for free. “
From water crisis to water disaster?
Late last year, in an essay in The New York Times, Natalie Koch, a professor at Syracuse University and soon-to-be-published book on Arizona’s water problem and its relationship with Saudi Arabia, wrote:that is Victim of Own Arrogance and Political Failure Allow such a system to exist. ‘Exactly.
Joanna Allhands of the Republic of Arizona recently reported on how some small rural communities trying to save water are showing the way for the rest of the state.
It’s a start, but Congress must act to “prevent Arizona’s water crisis from becoming a water catastrophe,” according to Professor Koch.
Mays may be able to help reach a deal with Saudi Arabia, but that’s only part of the problem.If lawmakers in Arizona don’t act soon, the business sector that’s depleting the state’s aquifer will continue to grow. The profits will continue until the cows return.
while the plug is in our The house dries up.
Arrival in Montini ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.
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