The Arizona State Land Department announced on Thursday that the Saudi Arabian farming company is no longer pumping water in western Arizona.
The announcement comes months after Gov. Katie Hobbs ended a controversial land lease with Fondomonte Arizona.
After a recent inspection, the State Land Department has confirmed that as of February 15, 2024, Fondomonte is no longer irrigating on any of its Butler Valley leases.
Visual inspections also confirmed Fondomonte has begun taking steps to vacate the property.
Fondomonte held four separate lease agreements in the Butler Valley Basin. On October 2, 2023, the State Land Department notified Fondomonte that three of its four leases in the Butler Valley Basin would not be renewed. Fondomonte was simultaneously notified that one of its leases had been canceled due to an uncured default.
Fondomonte appealed the cancellation, and the appeal is currently pending. Regardless of the appeal decision, Fondomonte was notified that the lease will not be renewed, meaning it also terminated on February 14, 2024.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Maricopa County Supervisor Galvin Lobbied For Saudis “Soaking Up Arizona’s Groundwater”