Applications to Sever and Transfer water rights, filed with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, have been a point of contention for County officials for a number of years. The Board of Supervisor’s released a statement saying they remain concerned about Mohave County’s dwindling natural resources and have vowed to appeal recent decisions by ADWR to allow the transfer.
Hildy Angius, Chairman of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors stated, “We are disappointed that our Congressional Delegation, Arizona Department of Water Resources and Freeport McMoRan ignored the opportunity and realized benefits of mutual cooperation for the protection of interests of all parties, including Mohave County taxpayers.” Angius continued, “This ill-conceived legislation, we believe, will be devastating to Mohave County in the long term. To the extent that we can, Mohave County will keep fighting, even if the odds are against us, in an effort to make our voices heard.”
Officials disagree on a number of aspects of the legislation as well as the negative implications that Mohave County residents will endure, which include:
● Further depletion of Mohave County’s natural resources
● Private land ownership in Mohave County will decrease, placing the tax base burden on the balance of residents
● Federal property ownership will increase with no additional federal support to provide services to these lands
● Prime developable real estate with a potential for a substantial tax growth will be given to the Hualapai Tribe
● No additional public access to these lands will occur