By Jim Seckler | Kingman Daily News
A Maricopa County judge ruled in favor of Mohave County in its fight against the transfer of water rights to a Bagdad mine.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Crane McClennen ruled in favor of Mohave County’s appeal of the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ decision to allow Freeport-McMoRan to transfer water rights from Planet Ranch to the Yavapai County copper mine.
McClennen ruled that the transfer was contrary to law and ADWR’s decision was “arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion.” The ruling would vacate ADWR’s Nov. 25 final decision and return the issue to ADWR.
ADWR previously said the county did not have standing to object to the transfer of the water rights in Planet Ranch to the mine.
District 5 Sup. Steve Moss of Fort Mohave said he hopes that all the parties will now meet Mohave County supervisors and address the county’s concerns.
