By Howard Fischer | AZ Capitol Times
Key Points:
- The state says Fondomonte, a Saudi-owned alfalfa farm, is creating a public nuisance by excessive groundwater pumping
- A local coalition is attempting to stop the attorney general from taking action against Fondomonte
- While AG says case only involves Fondomonte, local coalition says outcome could impact water users across state
Attorney General Kris Mayes wants to stop a coalition of farmers, ranchers and cities from blocking her bid to stop groundwater pumping by a Saudi-owned alfalfa farm in western Arizona.
In a new court filing on May 27, Mayes said her lawsuit against Fondomonte is about a single company violating the state’s public nuisance law by pumping so much water it is harming the area. She hopes to use that law to limit pumping, given her admission that nothing the company is doing violates other statutes dealing with groundwater.
Fondomonte has denied breaking any laws.
But as the case awaits a trial, others operating under the banner of the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group say Mayes has no right to sue Fondomonte.
