The small desert town of Willcox, Arizona survives off groundwater. Families are running out of water as their wells dry up, and residents are blaming newly-arrived, out-of-state corporate farms. Residents say they fear one operation in particular, Riverview LLP, that came to Cochise County in 2014, sunk dozens of deep wells, and increased pumping to support two 65,000 cow dairy feedlots.
» Subscribe to NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC
» Watch more NBC video: http://bit.ly/MoreNBCNews
NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.
Connect with NBC News Online!
NBC News App: https://smart.link/5d0cd9df61b80
Breaking News Alerts: https://link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/breaking-news-signup?cid=sm_npd_nn_yt_bn-clip_190621
Visit NBCNews.Com: http://nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: http://nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: http://nbcnews.to/FollowNBC
Follow NBC News on Instagram: http://nbcnews.to/InstaNBC
Draining Arizona: Mining For Water In The Desert Leaves Residents’ Wells Dry | NBC News
Use ocean water..ask the Corp of engineers to build the pumps ..
04:10 Do they really need to do this? Tattoos, or tags? Cost and convenience are everything? The pain they cause is irrelevant?
The water is being stolen for short term profits. Those who live there will soon find it uninhabitable.
This can be called an unhealthy business model. But I’m not surprised. It is, after all, the land of freedom. If you have enough money. The rest end up as slaves. Enjoy.
I love how this stupid cattle farmer doesnt understand cattle farming nor his own history. Very cute yet tragic asf.
Here is a Dairy issue , Trump said Canada is ruining Americas Dairy farms ( not True ) . Company’s are over producing too much milk and flooding the market to such a point they can’t sell it . Now they are becoming more destructive .
Arizona sucks
We told you so. 40 year ago we told you so, and here we are.
Law’s are man made, and water is very hard to make and 7th grade science taught me to divide water. The native Americans lived for centuries there and used it wisely. 2021
It’s normally a Woman complaining about things she has no idea about. This lady has a broken run down home on the verge of condiming and she is looking for sympathy. No lady. No sympathy for you.
A dairy in a desert is a seriously mad idea whatever the size, in my opinion, but on that scale, it’s a scarier twisted kind of mental illness, a mindset that is dominating our world through money, and sucking the life out of it. Taking true wealth, and destroying it to create a false wealth which cannot last. This too shall pass, the castles made of sand melt into the sea, eventually.
Why don’t they sprinkle the fields only at night, whene the evaporation losses are minimal?
They will run out of water. None of this makes any sense. They’ll drive everyone else out of the desert , pack up and move out when they exhaust water supply.
Ah, but there is no global warming. This is just coincidence. Maybe the climate change deniers should be the first without water. And, geniuses, the aquifers will empty and then what? As for industrial agriculture … no morals, no ethics and no good. That this rancher thinks it is okay for him to drain the aquifers … nobody has the right to question his use of a limited resource. He is every bit as bad as the agribusiness. Ditto the well driller. Head shaking lack of logic all around. Human beings are so frigging stupid. Pogo the Possum, that great philosopher said, “We have met the enemy and it is us.”
Sudia arabia owns all that prop. For feed for their livestock. Our gov. Has sold us a long time ago! Idiots
Well should have thought about this when trump was saying global warming is a hoax
It’s the desert people!!
Supervisor Judd has been bought – an utter disgrace. She looks and sounds like a 90 day fiancé bride-wannabe
Some places should not be allowed for development.
lmao idiots thats what happens when you try to farm in a desert
If we can build oil pipelines a thousand miles long, we can build water pipelines as well… The Mississippi floods every year. I’m sure those states would love to sell some of that extra water…
Welcome to gop America… Where corporations are people and we aren’t… Elections have consequences…
big money brings big problems…
surprisingly no cattle rustling going on at the dairy…those guys are a bunch of crooks
10:08
“My pursuit of happiness” says one rancher but what about others and the future generations.. if you use all the resources now and what are you going to leave for your own children??? Or the future generations unless you find a viable measures to maintain the resources in a sustainable ways….
Companies are not greater than the country and its concern authorities, I believe unless the concern authorities are paid Ranson for not seeing what these companies are doing for profit… humankind will certainly will be the main reason why our World and its inhabitants will be extinct…
Alaska is turning into the best state for comfortable life on West Coast, ain’t it?
Get rid of all the golf courses in the desert the use up so much water to keep the grass green
You waited too long. Nobody wanted to put drip lines in when water was plentiful it cost too much. How much does it cost now.
industrial agriculture replaces small farmers. This trend has been going on all over the increasingly “globalized” and integrated world. If capital flow “too” freely this happens
The town rep does understand that once they run out of water the jobs leave too?
We will never learn..https://youtu.be/P4k9Fm_OG8s
With climate change, water is the new gold.
if they are so short of water why do they not follow other desert countries and plant drought-resistant trees and shrubs or follow the Australian bloke who changed a barren valley into a fertile one by using trees?
im a nobody who finally has an investor for verticle farming and a great plan, but omg am i terrified about the lack of water in the region…
The dark breakfast periodically amuse because park accordingly permit but a righteous part. reminiscent, little spear
Sorry, no sympathy for a state who still embraces Trumps big lie. They voted for their officials and are reaping what they sowed.
They divert the well water and take it from underneath you. The government is committing treason.
We’ve maxed out _”Mother Nature’s Credit card”._ (greed rules the day)
The MASSIVE societal change that is required won’t happen. (it’s too late anyway)
*Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death* (humanities epitaph)
Why would people ever try to farm in a desert? Much less think it’s a great idea to expand.
I told you all eat video would be on the news when I sat and talked with you each and everybody will listen to your problems when I was running for president I am trying to fix everyone’s problem tozour water problem to their food problem to their housing problem to their bill problem tooth her healthcare problem to the crime in their state and their County and crime inner-city to their kids schooling problems two People’s Clothing problems and two people who doesn’t have job problems my name is John Martin Peraro I am for everyone my prayers are with you all I promised everyone that they would be listened to and they would be shown on the news not the rich and the famous and not the big business corporations that is why I was running for president thank you for letting me listen to you all each and every person
I have to tell you all think you all for when I was walking state-to-state and I have to tell you each thank you for letting me sleep on your all’s front yards I have to think some of your for giving me something to eat
I have to thank the news and I have to tell them thank you for finally telling the truth I have witnessed that firsthand when I was I know all about it Bayonne housing operations to they have too many so much stuff in every state state to state they even have their hand in port engine they even have their hand in Washington DC also and overseas in different countries
I’m not sure about the heatwave. All the water means nothing if the heat and humidity is too much. Wetbulb risk for cattle.
You mean those republican libertarian ideals aren’t working out for you?
Free market capitalism. The markets decide not any voter. Arrogant profit over clear common sense. Cue more sink holes.
My the way I believe in cattle ranch dairy farms too but not the mega giant agricultural Corp greedy beast farming evil raping beasts
And cow poop is Awsome fertilizer!
Just force the companies to provide the local populations their water supply before being able to use any for their ranching. If the company was forced to pay for wells provoding both the townspeople and themselves they might come to terms with the problematic nature of high water consumption in a desert environment. In the state of arizona, it is illegal to refuse people water. Just use that adage and get the people their water rights back. If it messes up the economy, so be it, people need water.
Our greed and selfishness will come to visit us someday
I heard Klumps 200 head he brought was when it was mexico and they were cattle rustlers.
also, coronado is decreasing property values because the cows can be smelled for 10 miles and nobody wants to live there. when they finally close the farm, property values will go back up and they will sell.
Why are we raising cows in Arizona? It’s almost as stupid as clearing the rain forest to raise cows.
Our loophole, for “We…”!
We can fix this! By using “their” system!
The way “their” research recommends!
Note: The good stuff!
In fact…!
“We…” could make it…
Comprehensive Contingencies Management capabilities!
By adding our own system, in support!
Like “their’s”, but ours!
Bottom… Up…!
In FEMA language…
CEM (Comprehensive Emergency Management)
“A four phase… Cycle…”
“Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery”!
Through the IEMS… [ Dare I state… ICCMS…!]
“Integrated [Comprehensive Contingencies] Management System”
Which includes “all sectors”…
“Public, Private, Government”
An “all hazard /threat” approach…
With all resources being managed, through…
… An EPM (Emerg. Program Manager)
… An EOC Director (Emerg. Op. Center).
… In a safe building! (From blasts, fallout, etc.)
… With accomodations
… For all “public servants”…
…… Professional Responders…
(Dispatch, Enforcers, Medical, Fire, HazMats…)
( NGO s… ARC, Search & Rescue, Sal.Army…)
… For “continuity of gov.”
(Note: Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended…)
Thusly, the groundwork, for the gov. system.
..From local, to NORAD…
In it, you are a “political subdivision”!
Thusly, “civil defense” morphed into…
A completely gov. operation.
No “civilians” allowed!
However, we need that system, too…!
(Cleaned out… And… streamlined!).
Those Pros need us doing our part, too!
Not, to leave it – only – on them!
To wear them out, until they become automatons?
With the “Primary” EOC, far behind a Police Line…
Who know, all they please, about you!
It became an arm of government, as
The “Office of Civil Defense” (OCD, 1964).
Now, it’s generally labeled, “DES”…
“Diaster and Emerg. Services”
Through FEMA…
Through DHS…
Your local gov. EOC controll all those resources!
And,…
FEMA recommends communities maintain…
“secondary” “Primary” EOCs.
But, taxes pay for those! (Unless?).
Traditionally, Emerg. Management was at the bottom of the list!
It may even be, primarily an NGO, just to function!
The point being!
We can build that “secondary Primary” for them!
Through a “Matrix NGO (non-profit).
Build it, to link direct into theirs, as a suppliment…
While, “We” gather / “muster”, to address crucial issues!
(From “home”, on a device, solving issues. Or, not!).
What I’m stating..
Through our own secondary [CCM Centers]
So to consolidate and coordinate resources…
(Human, Material, Information…)
Since, FEMA recommends we maintain secondary systems!
However, such was written, to mean, a secondary “Primary” [Cop Shop].
(In case the “Primary” gets taken out, as by a flood!).
Note: Nothing states…
“We” can’t do that, instead of “them”…
Or, for “them”!
Or, that we can’t do this, too!
Just because we can!
For doing our own networking!
For verifying truth, on any crucial issues!
So to mechanize and empower…
… pure/ direct democracy”
… “demos-kratos”…
[ Note to Greeks! I know! Sorry! ]
… within a republic (representative gov.).
Thusly, “civil defense”, in a 21st century context!
Not, more “Civil Defense”, by governments!
The OCD stated, “active and passive civil defense are integral to national security posture”!
[Note: such makes all you “Hillbillies” in Arkansas, “integral”!
[ I’m a hillbilliy from MT, and 3/4 of USA…
[I’ve not ever owned, but, I am an unaccounted for, capable asset!
[USMC, 2111/0431… Managed Ordnance, training, transport…].
[I don’t own, because I do not tolerate bullies!… Use!!!
Note, the definition of “civil”
We can use a version of the Swiss system, as a template…
… within our republics!
Thusly; “active and passive civil defense are integral to national security posture” (OCD, 1964)!
Through, a neutral / objective, logistics / liaison, Matrix NGO.
With Tech. and Internet assets, too!
What if “Civil Defense” / DHS is illegal; and, all “their” toys, belong to “We”, for use, to do this!
Folks, “civil defense” can not, only be, another – powerful – government agency!
While, true “civil defense” is you! All of you…!
Independently… “Mustered”!
neighborhood incident management…
Rather than, needing “Enforcers”?
Doing our part, for us?
Note: FEMA states, that “civil defense is emergency management.”
When we do this correctly, “We” will have…
Comprehensive Contingencies Management capabilities!
With, and/or, apart, from government!
As, the separate but equal, 4th Branch system.
You are born a “member”! Human!
Deal with this! Or, not!
This system has incredible possibilities!
To help “we” be “We”, again!
Folks, in the old days, marching around with guns wasn’t the important part!
It was all the liaison and logistics that happened…
…Before, during, and after…!!!
… The talking… On crucial issues!
… Learning one another…
… Wearing on sharp edges…!
… Where “democracy” could happen!
… And… Commerce…!
… Musters were not, just for security!
.. Such were where issues got talked about…!
Note: the Greek Trireme crews..
Crammed together… Talking?
Queen E!is. I, “Muster Law”?
Forced folks together..
Same place…
Same time…
Frequently…
[What would happen?].
[What could happen?].
[ Or… Not…!…???…].
An information processing library???
For finding truth… Quick!
On crucial issues…!!!
Now, “We…” can use a decision criteria..
Using crucial thinking…
C-STAPLEE
Culture (beliefs, values, tradition…)
Social (food, water, shelter, roads…)
Tech / Science… (Hydro, Atmos, Exo…)
Admin. (Business & gov.)
Political (issue resolution..)
Legal (Law, Rules, Legis lation…)
Environmental.(Bio, Symbiosis, anthros…)
Economy / Commerce…
[I want to find the guy FEMA took that from!..??
[So we can give, Thanks! Good stuff!
Also…
Cradle to Grave raw materials…
Extraction
Processing
Refining
Manufacturing
Transport
Storage
Use
Disposal
But…!… We need the system built!
In fact… Right now.. we need you Web Designers…
Build us, the start of a game, for us to use to build all the levels we need.
A lobby, behind a Desktop Icon.
With intro videos…
And, doorways…
Ones, for general information…
And map rooms
Chart rooms
Doorways, for leadership…
Like, for admin., and operations…
Who build the Operations platform
Through a “genuine qualifications” buffer
To get through doors
So each can be overseen, from at least three other levels!
With quorum requirements…
Where, the best, elect the best!
A simple starting place, where we can build this…
Block, by block…
Carefully… Honorably!
Semper Fidelis!
[Note: A Vet, asking all you millions of other Vets, scattered throughout neighborhoods, to help us lay an honorable, professional SOP “backbone” for this, for all folks to cling too, and to work within?
Also, I don’t own; so, by definition, I ain’t “militia”; but, I am asking for a Swiss version, so to be your asset, again…
Within, “active and passive civil defense”…
…”… is integral to national security posture!
In a 21st century context…
“A well regulated [comprehensive contingencies management system] being necessary to the [national security posture] of a free state, the right of the people [ to employ a Swiss template version of “active and passive civil defense”, within a republic, will not likely be] infringed”!
Or… Not…!…???
[Oh! I keep my local FBI informed, about this happening, as a democratic support mechanism, and as a secondary backup, for all. Nothing to hide!]!
There’s your first problem, 10 seconds in, you’re praying to God.
So that lady paid for her little property without a proper inspection that bug farm or not thats on her
Those cattle ranchers are going to make their millions and leave the town uninhabitable due to dry wells. Idiocy.
Perfectly legal idiocy!
No that white kids family wasn’t the first to live there the natives lived there for thousands of years respecting the land till idiots like this came and drove out the good people that knew how to live in a desert
Wonder how they’re doing now.
There is a very simple legislative change required:
“Water for domestic purposes shall be provided by any commercial purposes well on demand by the homeowner living within 10 miles of any commercial well.
The connection for this water shall be provided at no cost by the commercial purposes well owner up to the edge of the adjacent domestic dwelling’s land boundary and at the point nearest to this domestic dwelling.
The amount of water provided shall be no less than 10,000 gallons per 24 hours in perpetuity if the demand for such is made by the domestic dwelling occupier.”
So now your domestic neighbour’s water becomes your commercial responsibility….
You caused the problem by over extracting water…this is the simple commercial redress….
Suddenly the poor Vet’s property becomes a joy to live in…or buy…..
I feel sorry for these people but…..killing cows is not farming. These people need to go away – they just waste water
Actually farmers do have vested interests. That’s the point.
Land is cheap out there as well
Non-farmers should be using rain catchment systems instead of wells.
I would Build a 200 Acr Lake an dig as deep as you can Go
This is a year old and we learned nothing.
Create Water Desalination With Water Pipeline going to the desert. And with that you will replenish the water. And it would barely increase the prices.
Well, half the problem is watering in the daytime. Gotta water in the late evening to prevent evaporation. Second learn how to catch water condensation and storage of water.
Clueless officials hooked on cash are another major problem for water scarcity
God didn’t want us to grow plants in the desert.
Ground water that take many decades to form,
are finite. Climate change, adds to the woes. Not a viable future, farming here.
People should learn to understand, that the modern technical / scientific civilization is symptom of the worst disorder / disease at all: Collective Neurosis; the “Disease of Society”.
Crazyyy
Change the system, by isolating toilets to be flushed with Salt Water. Which we have plenty of right now. Plastic pipes would have to be used and a separate treatment system. Yes a lot has changed here, but we’re all smart people.
The state of Arizona should have regulations that do not allow foreign countries like saudi.Arabia to buy up land to grow alfalfa for their csttle and a company like
River view to drill 2000 foot wells for water eliminating wster gor local prople
All sources. water , oil , oxigen will wear out eventually. then pollution will take over with the results. …. the end of life on Earth. Almost eight billion people living in this world by 2050 will increase to 11 billion less sources . STOP outnumber babies to many in people in this world already 😒!!
I lived 2 years in AZ 67 and 68. They were careless with water, everyone. I asked about it and the answer was that there was water forever. Just dumb no thinking logically people. back then there were wheat fields and orange groves near downtown. I visited 10 years ago. Idiotic development in a desert. Ugly.
There are large corporations producing a lot for? For people! No people, no production needed. Too many people on earth?
Stupid rules. Stupid traditions. Only bound by the sacred BS freedom.
Now it’s time to pay the price.
Welcome to the real World USA citizens.
Goddamnit America..
You all keep saying “I was here first, this is MY land! These outsiders are ruining MY utopia!”.
You were not “the first ones here”.
Who tf did you run off that land to begin farming it 150 years ago, America?!
Human neglect and corporate agricultural greed result’s in disasters when nature is pillaged and abused.
4:07 Nice editing, whatever I want to do, and shows a poor lil calf getting branded, how awful
Grow alfalfa in arizona then transport it to South Arabia… sounds like a good plan for the environment…
The depressing music at the end is spot on!
Farming in the desert, great idea morons.
This is disgusting and wrong. There were people living there before these dairies moved in and the residents rights should be respected. I hate big corporations they could care less about the little guy who makes them rich.
I’d say the dairy folks have Jud in their hip pocket judging by the smirk on her face.
We love meat and milk in the US ..face it a few families don’t pay 38 to 102millions . Industry wins. It best to sell..
Govt need to change policy regarding setting up farms in water shortage area.
1. Farm must installed rain water harvesting system
2. Reduce the number of cattles
3. Grow only native crops
4. Crops must use less water
Above all Americans need to change their food habits and avoid eating meat products.
Red Alert President Carter tried to Address The West and Water Projects it was ignored
I foresee Water wars, between the Great Lakes states and the states west of Missouri. And someone will blow it up that pipeline every week. There is an obvious option: Stop building. You want to move to Utah or CA? As soon as someone leaves you can move in.
There are a couple new ranches now, 2021. One has their wells down to 2500ft dropping the ground level.
let’s build in the city. let’s grow food in the desert. let’s empty all the aquifers.
murrikan intelligence
In 1980, AZ passed a law that changed water rights from property based to a public good.
If water is to be a public good (and it should because privatized water is terrifying), then there should be usage limits in place based on available water levels.
I think that point has already been reached in your closing statement! These big conglomerates could have gone to the central states! They choose these drought stricken areas because land is cheaper plain and simple! And they got big pockets to drill deep where no individual person can afford to go. Sadly, they will eventually drain the aquifer completely and then what? At the cost of all the water, the land won’t be good for anyone to farm! I blame the State of Arizona! Short term gains for a ruined ecology and long term loss for everyone! Totally bad business model!
They’re all living in the middle of the desert. If the long time residents aren’t smart enough to stop businesses from using up their ground water, they’ll be moving out right after the water’s gone. I guess people can’t think about the long term. Whether it’s water or global warming, life in the middle of that desert is just about over.
God made it for a few animals. Not for farming. Natives knew what they were doing. The government burocraps greed is the problem.
Cows drink 40+- galloons a day. In a desert is absolutely disgusting. Greedy
Consume less, need less… Oh w8 its ‘merica were talk’n ’bout, i want a Xtra Large Num:2 w/ Xtra dip & Large Coke, 3x Num:6 Xtra Sauce, 6x kids meals w/ 5x diet coke’s, 2x XXXXXXXL Num:1’s w/ Xtra of EVERY THING
“who was here first” LOLOLOL
If people were vegan, it will solve the problem. You should stop shooting yourselves in the foot and realize how much water it need to raise cattle. I don’t know why people still doing the ostrich and complained. They always talking about economy, I don’t know what kind of proof they need to realize where is the real problem.