Every elected body in Mohave County and La Paz County was against the legislation. This was legislation to help a single Constituent. That Constituent happens to be one the biggest mining companies in the world. You tell me what chance we had?
The director of the regulatory agency that was in charge of all of this for years, was hired by Freeport McMoRan and within months they figured out this way to get what they wanted and not allow us in because we had evidence that the rights they said they had were questionable at best. That's why they did not want us there. We did not want to stop this deal, we just believed we had "standing." IT IS WHAT CONSERVATIVES IN THE WEST ARE FIGHTING FOR. If local governments don't have standing in issues such as this, we are all in a lot of trouble. And then there was more. In the legislation, the Indian Tribe got first right of refusal for land that FM owned in an area of our County called Wickieup. It is a beautiful area down there is a highway being built within the next 10 years between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Do you know happens when Indian Tribes buy land and/or open businesses on land that was once private? They take it into Indian Land Trusts meaning they never have to pay taxes. So, in the future, on the only land that we may have future development on, I guarantee you will see Indian Casinos as far as the eye can see and local governments, fire districts, School districts, will have to foot the bill. We asked our Congressman if at the very least he could make provisions in this legislation to protect us (it is routine to do so in water settlement legislation.) He told us we were stupid and that they Indian Tribe cannot afford the land. This is the Tribe that owns the SKYWALK, the fifth largest tourist attraction in the Country. Also, in this legislation that was written by FM, FM gives the Indian Tribe and "UNDISCLOSED" amount of money. Nobody knows how much. (The entirety of Congress passed this without knowing what was in it) We believe it is to buy the land later on.
This wasn't just about water, this was about our future. And our Conservative Congressman, full of hubris and arrogance, told us we did not know what we were talking about because he wanted that big old feather in his cap. You know which one I am talking about, it's how Congressmen and women measure their success...he wanted his bill to be passed and he was not going to let anyone get in his way. But we didn't go away. We sued, we lost. We appealed, we won. FM and the REGULATORY AUTHORITY. Think about that, took it to the State Supreme Court where the mostly liberal judges voted against us..shock of all shocks..being that Freeport McMoran is I believe the biggest company in the State. Truly a David v. Goliath story. Gosar, through it all, held fast to the idea that we had no right to be at the table.
After the Supreme Court Case was done they thought we'd go away, but we had no intention of it. It was at this point that our wonderful Governor, Doug Ducey, intervened and said Mohave County did have a right to be at the table and he insisted we be a part of the next round of negotiations. Which we were. This was a huge embarrassment to both Congressman Gosar and the ADWR. And Thank God we were because when the story is told, and I'm not allowed to talk about it, everyone will be shocked at how the government sells out citizens futures.
ALL OF THIS could have been avoided if Congressman Gosar put his ego aside and worked for all his constituents, not just some. It wouldn't have been difficult, but I believe he wasn't really the one calling the shots. I think he was just being used. That is my opinion. Here is an article written by another Mohave County Board of Supervisor that I think states our case pretty well.
Buster Johnson on the BILL WILLIAMS WATER SETTLEMENT ACT OF 2014
More info for you at posts 27 and 28.