Mayes to host Yuma town hall on biosolids concerns
Mayes is bringing Yuma’s biosolids fight to the Yuma Civic Center on July 23, as residents press for answers on odors, flies and state oversight.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will hold a town hall in Yuma on July 23 as the dispute over a Somerton-area biosolids operation pushes further into state hands. The meeting, titled “Community Concerns Regarding Biosolids,” is set for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Dr., and Mayes wants to hear concerns from the Yuma community.
The gathering comes after months of complaints tied to AG Tech LLC’s operation on land south of Yuma. Residents, agricultural producers and other community stakeholders have reported overwhelming odors, severe fly infestations, dust and debris, and Yuma County asked the Arizona State Land Department in December 2025 to terminate AG Tech’s lease. In April, county leaders described the operation as contributing to ongoing environmental and quality-of-life problems, with the issue raised for years.
The land is state trust land, and Arizona agencies, especially the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the State Land Department, hold the primary authority over biosolids permitting and leasing. That limits the county’s direct power to shut the site down, even as county officials have pursued legislative advocacy, coordinated with state agencies, carried out inspections within their authority, supported monitoring and asked state leaders, including Gov. Katie Hobbs, to intervene.
ADEQ’s biosolids general permit took effect on June 30, 2022, and Arizona lawmakers passed SB 1212 in 2025 to address land application, immunity and use on state lands under agricultural leases. County leaders argue that biosolids imported from California should not be brought into Yuma County.
Residents and growers will press Mayes and other officials on possible health effects, water impacts, farm soils, land use and who would be responsible if contamination or other harm is confirmed. AgTech opened its Somerton-area facility to media and elected officials in June, while a Yuma County Vector Control inspection did not find active fly-breeding sites during one visit. The lease was operating month-to-month as state agencies weighed the county’s request.
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