Arizona
Arizona will regulate groundwater where Saudi company grows alfalfa
Gov. Hobbs tours La Paz County over concerns about groundwater
Governor Katie Hobbs answers questions during a groundwater issues tour in La Paz County, on May 28, 2025.
Farmers, municipalities and industry in southeastern La Paz County, where Saudi-owned Fondomonte grows alfalfa for export, will face new requirements on groundwater use and reporting.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources designated an active management area in the Ranegras groundwater basin on Jan. 9, the agency said. With it, the area will become the eighth AMA in the state and the second one initiated by state mandate during Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration. Hobbs also announced the designation in her Jan. 12 State of the State address.
The agency held an informational public meeting in Salome in October, and a formal hearing in December, ahead of its final decision. From the 400 oral and written comments it received from the public, the “vast majority” supported the AMA, the agency wrote in a press release.
“The future of residents and businesses depends upon protecting the finite groundwater resources,” Director Tom Buschatzke said in a statement.
According to the agency, agricultural water use in Ranegras is estimated at nearly 40,000 acre-feet a year; recharge, or what is returned to the aquifer, is an estimated 2,000 acre-feet per year. There are no exact numbers because, until now, individuals could pump unlimited amounts of groundwater without reporting how much they were using. That’s still the case in most of rural Arizona, where there are no groundwater regulations in place.
La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin celebrated the announcement.
“We asked for a rural management tool that would fit our unique needs. Year after year, those pleas fell on deaf ears. Today, we’ve finally been heard,” she said in a statement. The AMA, she added, “is the decisive action we need to stop the bleeding that threatens the vitality of our community.”
County Supervisor Ducey Minor opposed the creation of an AMA at the formal hearing, saying that there is a water problem to address but the imposed regulations would stunt growth.
The AMA blocks agricultural expansion, and mandates annual water use reports and water conservation goals. Land that had not been irrigated for crop production sometime in the last five years cannot be farmed again unless owners show they’ve made a “substantial capital investment” on it.
Fondomonte, a subsidiary of Saudi-owned dairy Almarai, owns 22,873 acres of land in La Paz County, according to the assessor’s office, and will be granted “irrigation grandfathered rights” for land the company has farmed in the area in the past five years. The company hasn’t responded to numerous requests from The Republic to disclose how many acres it is actively farming in the Ranegras basin.
Like all other water users irrigating more than two acres or using pumps with a capacity of more than 35 gallons per minute, Fondomonte will face conservation goals and report annual water use, which is not public today.
Egg producers, pistachio orchards, dairies, feedlots and other farms in Ranegras would face similar requirements. There are nearly 8,000 acres of irrigated farmland in the basin, according to state estimates.
Wells that pump 35 gallons per minute or less, like those used for home needs, are not subject to regulation under the AMA.
Arizona’s water authority said the mandatory measuring and reporting will provide “reliable water use data,” benefit all users, and improve decision-making and transparency.
What will change?
The AMA will place restrictions on new high-capacity wells, like those used for crop irrigation, and demand annual water use reports or estimates. Anyone who wants to drill or deepen a well that pumps more than 35 gallons per minute, known as a “non-exempt well,” will have to perform a well-impact analysis, which will be subject to approval.
The AMA places no restrictions on wells pumping less than 35 gallons per minute, also called “exempt” wells.
Farmers using wells that irrigate more than two acres of land or pump more than 35 gallons per minute will have to measure how much water they are extracting. The conservation goals and management plan for the area, to be determined, would be designed to mitigate or slow down groundwater depletion. There would be a different conservation plan for agriculture, municipalities and industry.
A groundwater users advisory council, or GUAC, made up of five volunteer members who represent water users in the basin, will provide input to the state agency prior to adoption of the management plans. Those members are appointed by the governor. Anyone can submit their candidacy.
The Department said in the announcement it will send additional information to stakeholders and residents of the basin over the coming weeks.
Fondomonte is in an ongoing lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
“Regardless of whether an AMA is imposed in the Ranegras Plain, which I support, my office is moving forward with our public nuisance lawsuit against Fondomonte,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said at a meeting in Cochise County on Jan. 8, where she announced a settlement with Riverview LLP, a Minnesota-owned dairy that owns 58,562 acres in the Douglas and Willcox AMAs.
Managing groundwater depletion and protecting rural water users takes a mix of tools, she added.
“(An AMA) does not address the damage already done.”
Clara Migoya covers agriculture and water issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com.
Before the season, Big 12 coaches predicted TCU would win the conference with Arizona finishing second. Neither team has lived up to those expectations so far, but for one night the Wildcats looked the part of a contender.
The UA won 4-3 at TCU on Friday night in the opener of a 3-game series, only the second time in Big 12 play it has started off a weekend with a win. And combined with Wednesday’s victory over New Mexico State gives the Wildcats (12-21, 4-9) their first consecutive wins since mid-March
A sacrifice fly by Maddox Mihalakis scored pinch runner TJ Adams in the top of the 9th, then in the bottom of the inning Garrett Hicks stranded the tying run at third base and the winning run at second with a strikeout.
Mihalakis drove in two runs, as did No. 9 hitter Mathis Meurant, while Tony Lira was 4 for 5 for Arizona, which led 3-1 before TCU (20-13, 7-6).
Those tying runs came against starter Owen Kramkowski, who had one of his best starts of the season. The junior right-hander struck out nine and didn’t allow a walk over 6.2 innings, retiring 12 in a row at one point before the Horned Frogs recorded four hits in the 7th including back-to-back run-scoring singles with two out.
Maclain Roberts finished out the 7th and then threw a scoreless 8th to get the win, then Hicks picked up his fourth save.
Arizona and TCU will play a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 12 p.m. PT, a change in the schedule due to rain in the forecast on Sunday. One win will give the Wildcats their first Big 12 series win this season.
Michigan wins 2026 national championship in Indianapolis
Michigan caps a dominant season by beating Connecticut to win the 2026 men national championship in Indianapolis.
After soaking up appreciation from Tucson fans for their Final Four appearance last weekend, the Arizona Wildcats received some statewide love this week.
On Thursday, April 9, the Arizona House of Representatives and state Senate both proclaimed April 9, “Arizona Wildcats Day,” honoring the UA men’s basketball team for its Final Four season.
The Wildcats then attended a UA luncheon in Scottsdale where they met with fans and school officials, all celebrating their 36-win record, Big 12 title and NCAA Tournament achievements.
The Wildcats wore gray UA basketball polo shirts and rode a bus to Phoenix that morning, appearing first on the House of Representatives floor, where they were greeted with cheers and praise from Speaker Steve Montenegro.
“This year’s squad brought the magic back in a way that unified fans across the entire state in just a short period of time,” Montenegro said. “They have represented our university and our state with heart, with discipline and with class, both on and off the court.
“I know that everyone in this chamber, and especially Wildcat fans across Arizona, share my excitement that coach Lloyd and the team is here, and they are here to stay with his vision and the culture that he’s building.”
While saying that “you guys have got a lot more important work to take care of than honoring us,” Tommy Lloyd then thanked the legislators for their support.
“We understand that you guys are truly our biggest supporters, and we know there’s boosters, there’s businesses, all those things involved,” Lloyd said. “We also understand the state of Arizona is behind everything we do, and you guys are truly our biggest donors and our biggest supporters.
“So we thank you for everything. It’s an honor to represent you guys, and you’re right, Steve, this is just the beginning. We look forward to recreating this and doing this again, and without your support, that wouldn’t be possible.”
The Arizona Senate followed with a similar proclamation, noting the Wildcats’ Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, 36 wins and Final Four appearance — and “the national recognition it brings to our state.”
After the Senate proclamation, Senate President Warren Petersen asked Lloyd what the secret was behind why Arizona always had “awesome basketball teams.”
“I think it’s simple, because it’s something that was built before all of us came,” Lloyd said. “Coach (Fred) Snowden, coach (Lute) Olson, these guys did an amazing job building the foundation for a program that became a national program and had a ton of success.
“Coach (Sean) Miller continued to build on it. We’re fortunate for those that came before us, and we have an amazing tradition, history and a legacy.
“And we want to thank you guys, because to be honest with you, the government is our biggest supporter. We’re a state institution, and the investment you make in the University of Arizona allows us to do what we do. So we’re thankful for everyone that gets behind our program and supports it and helps us continue to build on this tradition and legacy.”
Rim shots
– Departing senior guard Jaden Bradley posted a formal thanks to UA coaches, players and fans on social media, announcing he is declaring for the NBA draft (regardless of any potential rule changes that might allow for more eligibility). “This journey has meant everything to me,” Bradley posted. “It (has) been a rollercoaster but I’ve grown, matured, and become a better man because of it.”
– Reports surfaced on April 9 that transferring Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad has canceled a planned visit to Arizona early next week. Three 247 staffers have posted predictions that he would pick Louisville, where he was scheduled to visit this weekend.
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Diana Taurasi, the iconic Phoenix Mercury player who spent her entire 20-year WNBA career with the team, was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame on April 9. Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and six-time Olympic gold medalist, was celebrated for her immense impact on the Mercury and women’s basketball in Arizona.
Why it matters
Taurasi’s induction into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to her unparalleled achievements and legacy with the Phoenix Mercury. As one of the greatest players in WNBA history, her selection highlights the Mercury’s status as a premier franchise and the growth of women’s professional sports in the state.
The details
Taurasi was drafted by the Mercury as the No. 1 overall pick in 2004 and went on to lead the team to three WNBA championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014. She was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2014, and WNBA MVP in 2009. Outside of the Mercury, Taurasi represented the U.S. national team, winning six Olympic gold medals, the most of any U.S. basketball player.
- Taurasi was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame on April 9, 2026.
- Taurasi will be inducted into the Mercury’s Ring of Honor on August 16, 2026.
The players
Diana Taurasi
A legendary WNBA player who spent her entire 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury, leading the team to three championships and winning six Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team.
Penny Taylor
Taurasi’s wife and former teammate on the Phoenix Mercury.
Jerry Colangelo
The former owner of the Phoenix Mercury who Taurasi credits for setting the team on a path to success and longevity.
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What they’re saying
“It’s just incredible. Being here for 20 years now, it’s home. Thinking back on all the things we’ve accomplished when we came in 2004, winning championships, making sure that the Phoenix Mercury were the gold standard in the WNBA.”
— Diana Taurasi, WNBA Player
“It’s the fans who did it all. We have the most loyal and amazing fans of all time. The X-Factor was always there. No matter what kind of season we were having, they were always there supporting us and building that community. It’s definitely a treat.”
— Diana Taurasi, WNBA Player
“He kind of set the path to the winning, to the longevity in being here because he’s that type of guy.”
— Diana Taurasi, WNBA Player
What’s next
Taurasi will be inducted into the Phoenix Mercury’s Ring of Honor on August 16, 2026, joining other franchise legends.
The takeaway
Diana Taurasi’s induction into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame solidifies her status as one of the greatest players in WNBA history and a true icon of women’s basketball in the state. Her two-decade tenure with the Mercury, three championships, and six Olympic gold medals have cemented her legacy as a transformative figure who helped elevate the sport to new heights.
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