General
Legislation introduced to ratify Yavapai-Apache Nation water rights settlement
An Arizona congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation to ratify and fund the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s Water Rights Settlement Agreement. The agreement would resolve the tribe’s water rights claims and bring additional water supplies to the Verde Valley and the tribe.
“Securing water rights and providing reliable water supplies are essential for the future of Arizona,” Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona, Mark Kelly said in a statement.
“This settlement is a significant step toward ensuring the Yavapai-Apache Nation and surrounding communities have the resources they need to thrive while also protecting the vital flow of the Verde River,” he added.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act authorizes a little over $1 billion in funding for the tribe to build and maintain essential water infrastructure, including the Cragin-Verde Pipeline and a Surface Water Drinking Plant.
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“Our legislation provides critical support to strengthen the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s water future and ensures they have access to clean drinking water and efficient water infrastructure for generations to come,” said independent U.S Sen. from Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema.
Kelly and Sinema introduced the legislation to the Senate on July 11. Republican Congressman David Schweikert introduced a House version, H.R. 8949, on July 8 that is co-sponsored by Republican U.S. Reps. Debbie Lesko and Juan Ciscomani, along with Congressman Greg Stanton, a Democrat.
“H.R. 8949 promotes growth for the Yavapai Apache Nation by delivering critical resources,” Schweikert said in a statement. “The bipartisan bill provides the means to construct infrastructure to water sources, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this important legislation.”
As part of the settlement, the Yavapai-Apache Nation will be guaranteed rights to 4,610 acre-feet per year of water, funding for water infrastructure within their community, promotion of water conservation, and protection of the flow of the Verde River.
“This is a critical milestone, not only for the Yavapai-Apache Nation but also for the future of the Verde River,” YAN Chairwoman Tanya Lewis said in a statement.
“We are proud to have finally reached this moment and appreciate how hard each of the settling parties worked to achieve this comprehensive water rights settlement that will provide water certainty for the Nation and support a healthy Verde River that is cherished by so many people in the Verde Valley and across the state,” Lewis added.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation has more than 2,500 tribal members from five different tribal communities. Their tribal lands are located in the Verde Valley of Arizona.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Council approved the Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement on June 26.
The settlement resolves the tribe’s longstanding water rights claims in Arizona. The tribe will work with the Salt River Project, the State of Arizona, the Department of the Interior, local communities, and others to reach a final resolution. This resolution will bring more water supplies to the Verde Valley and help maintain the flow of the Verde River.
Leslie Meyers, the associate general manager and chief water resources and services executive at the Salt River Project, commended Arizona’s congressional delegation for their efforts to introduce this “historic agreement.”
“As a result of many years of negotiations, the settlement secures the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s water rights while facilitating renewable water supplies and cooperative water stewardship opportunities in the Verde Valley,” Meyers said in a statement.
The new pipeline will deliver water from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir to the Yavapai-Apache Nation and surrounding communities.
The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to plan, design, and construct the pipeline as a part of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project.
The costs relating to litigation settlement in the act include over $731 million for the Cragin-Verde Pipeline Construction, more than $152 million for the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s Surface Water Drinking Plant and Main Transmission Lines on the tribe’s land, and $156 million for the water settlement trust fund.
Another part of the settlement includes a land exchange with the Forest Service to secure lands contiguous to the Middle Verde Reservation, enhancing community resilience and environmental stewardship.
“This landmark settlement honors our federal trust responsibility to the Yavapai-Apache Nation and protects the Verde River for generations to come,” Stanton said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the Tribal Council, Salt River Project, and many others that worked tirelessly over 50 years to negotiate this agreement.”
As part of this settlement, the Yavapai-Apache Nation will waive claims for damages to water rights against existing water users in the Verde River watershed and against the United States.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said the state is proud to support the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement because it will increase water security and sustainability in the Verde Valley.
“My administration is committed to partnering with Tribes on all water resource matters, including settling outstanding water rights claims,” Hobbs said in a statement. “The Yavapai-Apache have waited years for this day, and this legislation is proof of their steadfast efforts and advocacy.”
