In the small desert community of Pearce, Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes returned Thursday with news that brought hope to residents who have spent years watching their wells run dry. After nearly two years of persistent advocacy, her office has secured a historic agreement with Riverview LLP, a Minnesota-based dairy company, that will transform water conservation efforts in the state.

The settlement represents something Arizona has never seen before. Riverview has committed to reducing its groundwater usage by fallowing 2,000 acres of farmland and implementing best practices for water conservation. Perhaps most remarkably, the company has agreed to establish an $11 million fund dedicated to helping residents affected by groundwater depletion. This money will pay for redrilling wells, hauling water, and ensuring the community has reliable access to this critical resource.

"I don't think there's anything more important than standing up for rural Arizona, and I will promise you, I will continue to do that," Mayes told the assembled crowd, many of whom had shared their struggles at a town hall she held in the same location nearly two years ago.

The Willcox groundwater basin has long been the lifeblood of small family farms thriving under the desert sun. When concerns about water levels grew in recent years, the need for collaboration between industry and community became clear. Now, thanks to this agreement, over 100,000 acre-feet of water will be saved from pumping by 2040. To put that in perspective, one acre-foot supplies enough water for two to three Arizona households for an entire year.

In their statement, Riverview emphasized their commitment to being good neighbors and part of the solution. "Attorney General Mayes has helped highlight these challenges, and we appreciate her efforts in identifying these tangible steps to help Arizonans in need," the company said. "By working together with state and local leaders, we can strengthen local water access and build a more sustainable future."

The Ripple Effect

This settlement is creating waves far beyond Pearce. It establishes a powerful new precedent showing that businesses can commit to being responsible stewards of shared resources while supporting the communities where they operate. The agreement has helped accelerate the formation of an Active Management Area for the Willcox basin, giving the state new tools to regulate and protect the aquifer for future generations.

Community members who attended Thursday's announcement recognized this as an important milestone. While they acknowledged more work lies ahead, they expressed genuine gratitude for this significant step forward. The agreement demonstrates that when industry, government, and communities come together with good faith and determination, transformative solutions are possible.

Local farmers, homeowners, and environmentalists who have advocated for years to protect their water resources are now seeing their persistence pay off. Their voices have been heard, their concerns validated, and their future made more secure. Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources continue working on additional protections, building on the momentum this historic agreement has created.

This landmark settlement shows that sustainable agriculture and thriving communities don't have to be at odds. Instead, they can work hand in hand, ensuring that the desert continues to bloom for generations to come.