Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in Mohave County over the Planet Ranch water deal, also known as the Bill Williams River water rights settlement. Since this water settlement has a vitally important impact on Mohave County residents, I would like to take a moment to present the facts of this issue and dispel any misinformation.

On September 19^th, 2014 I introduced H.R. 4924, Bill Williams Water Settlement Act of 2014. My legislation would facilitate the achievement of a fair, equitable and final settlement of certain claims within the Bill Williams River watershed among the Hualapai Tribe, the U.S. Department of the Interior acting on behalf of itself and as trustee for the Tribe, its members, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Freeport-McMoRan. 

This bill is good for private property owners, good for our local economies and jobs, settles an outstanding water rights settlement and will result in a net water benefit to the basin.

The agreement will provide certainty for the Bagdad Mine which has an annual economic impact of $339.1 million to the state of Arizona and sustains nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The Hualapai Tribe benefits from this legislation by securing certain water rights and from two non-Federal contributions provided by Freeport-McMoRan for an Infrastructure Study Fund and an Economic Development Fund.

The County and State benefit from the bill as the agreement codified by this legislation will result in an overall net water use reduction in the basin of nearly 40,000 acre-feet per year. In addition, there is a provision in the bill that allows for public access. Furthermore, the local counties benefit from the good paying jobs and tax revenue associated with continued use of the mine.

Now, I want to dispel a few of the biggest myths surround this deal:

1.)    Mohave County will lose tax revenues from lands going into trust for the Tribe or ownership by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

TRUTH: The amount of property tax revenue is insignificant.

2.) Loss of access to Planet Ranch Lands for hunting, fishing and other recreation purposes.

TRUTH: There is a provision in the bill that allows for public access. Currently, there is no public access to Planet Ranch and to gain entry one technically has to trespass on private property.

3.) This agreement will result in more water being transferred out of Mohave County or the basin.

TRUTH: The settlement agreement codified by this legislation does not result in more water being taken out of the Big Sandy River, but in fact results in less water being taken out.   The total reduction in water consumption through this Agreement is approximately 11,000 acre-feet per year from current use and will result in an overall net water use reduction from current entitlements and current use in the basin of nearly 40,000 acre-feet per year. The bill does not transfer, affect or infringe upon any vested or existing water rights held by Mohave County.