By Zachery Matson | Today’s News Herald
Mohave County suffered a pair of setbacks this week in its fight against a water and land transfer deal centering on the Planet Ranch property east of Parker.
A state administrative law judge on Monday denied the county’s appeal of the Arizona Department of Water Resources approval of a mining company’s plan to transfer water rights from Planet Ranch, so it can continue withdrawals near Wikieup for use at its copper mine in Yavapai County.
And just a few days after the denial, a congressional committee unanimously advanced federal legislation to codify the underlying agreement. A companion Senate bill is still waiting approval in its respective committee.