Ranches in much of Arizona are primarily located on large tracts of state trust land and federal Bureau of Land Management property, which can be leased. John Weisser said his family has been located on the same acreage in eastern La Paz County for 80 years.
"This isn't useable to anybody, but recreation and ranchers," Weisser said.
"Some people look at that part of Arizona as a wasteland," said Sandy Bahr, the director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter.
Climate change is changing the landscape as solar farms, spurred by federal incentives to reduce America's carbon footprint, are looking to develop the Arizona desert.
...Currently, leasees can be reimbursed for improvements they put on government land like fences. But HB2411 proposes to make the solar companies ante up for the ranchers' loss of value of their operation, cost to move the operation, and profit loss for up to five years.
While the bill passed the state House, it stalled with a no vote in a Senate committee meeting Thursday. Some critics said the bill could put a chilling effect on any developer who wanted to lease state or federal lands traditionally used for grazing. Others said the state Land Department is required to go with the highest and best option, and they questioned whether HB2411 would have hindered the ability to make the most money off trust lands to benefit Arizonans...more
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