A Saudi business is leaving Arizona valley after it was targeted by the state over groundwater use
three of its four leases in the Butler Valley Basin would not be renewed. Fondomonte was simultaneously notified that the fourth lease would be canceled as well.
The Arizona governor’s office said the State Land Department decided not to renew the leases the company had in Butler Valley due to the “excessive amounts of water being pumped from the land — free of charge." Fondomonte appealed the cancellation, and that process is still pending. The last lease ended on Feb.
14. Another company, the United Arab Emirates-owned Al Dahra ACX Global Inc., grows forage crops in California and Arizona, including on Butler Valley land it leases from a private North Carolina-based company.
It is a major North American exporter of hay. Hobbs took credit for the end of Fondomonte's operation in the valley.
“I’m not afraid to hold people accountable, maximize value for the state land trust, and protect Arizona’s water security," she said. Milestone Alert!
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