McMullen Valley is Sinking
McMullen Valley, situated at the confluence of La Paz, Maricopa, and Yavapai counties, has a small population of around 3,000 people spread across communities, including Aguila, Salome, and Wenden.
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The majority of its residents, mainly farmers and retirees, once had planned to spend the rest of their lives in the valley. However, they share a common problem that has been exacerbated over the years: their land is sinking.
Governor Hobbs’ Investigates Saudi Farm
Arizona’s governor, Katie Hobbs, began investigating the sinking of the land in the state and discovered the Saudi-owned Fondomonte farm had breached its lease agreement.
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The investigation’s results revealed that Fondomonte had extracted substantial amounts of groundwater without restraint. This decision signaled a clear shift in the state’s approach to managing its groundwater resources.
Saudi-Owned Arizona Farm Has its Lease Revoked
Hobbs promptly terminated Fondomonte Arizona’s lease in Butler Valley after her team discovered several lease violations, including improper storage of hazardous materials.
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The action was deemed a win in the state’s war against unethical and unsustainable groundwater drilling and reflects Arizona’s commitment to safeguarding its natural resources and enforcing environmental compliance.
Al Dhara Continues to Drill
However, Arizona’s problems are far from resolved, as several other companies including Al Dahra continue drilling excessively for groundwater due to the state’s lax water laws.
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The persistence of corporate activities, even after regulatory interventions that saw leases revoked, has led many to question the effectiveness of current water management policies and whether or not they should be updated.