Rural families, farmers, business owners, leaders, and officials across Arizona call on Gov. Hobbs to protect their water as state lawmakers refuse compromise

Salome, AZ – Yesterday, Governor Katie Hobbs traveled to La Paz County to meet with local elected officials, business owners, and farmers to discuss overpumping by out-of-state corporate farms in the Butler Valley, McMullen Valley, and Ranegras Plain basins, and the threat it poses to local farmers, homeowners, and businesses. During her visit, Governor Hobbs reaffirmed her commitment to taking bipartisan action to protect water in rural Arizona and ensure a thriving, sustainable, and growing economy.

The visit comes amid ongoing inaction by the state legislature on the water crisis in rural Arizona. Excessive groundwater pumping by large-scale, out-of-state agricultural operations has led to serious impacts in La Paz County, including declining water levels and wells running dry. Governor Hobbs stressed the need for unified efforts involving legislators, Tribal leaders, local elected officials, farmers, business owners and residents to advance meaningful and practical reforms.

AZ Republic: Rural Arizona leaders want Hobbs to impose controls on groundwater overpumping

“I heard a lot of frustration. Rural Arizonans feel their message has not been heard at the legislature,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “For two years, I’ve fought for commonsense, bipartisan solutions to protect our water future and grow our economy, but the legislative majority has continued to stonewall. Arizonans cannot afford for politicians to stick their heads in the sand and ignore the real problems we face. No matter what, I will continue to take action to protect rural Arizonans from out-of-state corporations pumping their communities dry for a quick profit.”

“I can’t thank Governor Hobbs enough for coming out to La Paz County. After 10 years of raising the alarm we finally have somebody who’s listening,” said La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin. “It’s been a struggle, a lot of tears, sometimes driving home and trying to figure out what to do next. It’s only going to get worse if something isn’t done to help protect our residents who have been affected. Dealing with groundwater issues should be bipartisan.”

“We appreciate Governor Hobbs’ advocacy,” said Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman. “We strongly support passing the legislation, but if that can’t happen, we urge Governor Hobbs to take administrative action. We need to have control over our future, and that means we need to have control over our groundwater.”

“In 1997 we drilled our first well, and the water level was 461 feet,” said Illene Wood, a Wenden resident of 26 years. “By 2010, we had to drill a new well at 520 feet. Last year, our well went dry again. Drilling to 840 feet this time cost us $130,000. It was either that or hauling water.”

“If something malfunctions, the first thought is, ‘Oh my God, we don’t have water,’” said local business owner Rod McDermott. “Without it, we’d have to haul water just to finish the season, and that would be the end for us. One of our two wells, a 600-foot one, is already dry. Drilling an 800-foot well at my RV park cost $120,000, I can’t afford to do that again.”

Governor Hobbs started the day with a driving tour led by Holly Irwin, La Paz County Supervisor representing District 3 and a longtime resident of the area.

During her visit, Governor Hobbs also met with local residents Illene Wood and Rob McDermott, who shared personal stories of the challenges caused by declining water levels.

VIEW MORE: ABC15: Gov. Hobbs tours La Paz county to discuss ground water issues

Governor Hobbs also visited the Wenden Water Improvement District and concluded her visit with a roundtable discussion with rural leaders from across Arizona. Officials from La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Santa Cruz, Kingman, Willcox, Lake Havasu City, Coconino, and Prescott traveled to La Paz County to discuss updates on rural groundwater legislative negotiations and explore potential alternative solutions moving forward.

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