Comment by leptons

They sold land rights to the Saudis who then siphoned off the water (now revoked said rights).

"[The Saudis] used sprinklers to grow alfalfa in La Paz County and exports it to feed dairy cattle in Saudi Arabia. The company did not pay for the water it used under the old agreement."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-arabia-water-access-arizo...