New Law to Seal Colorado River Water Deals for Three Arizona Tribes

A bipartisan coalition of Arizona’s congressional delegation has introduced a groundbreaking piece of legislation addressing long-standing water issues for three Arizona tribes.

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 aims to ratify and financially support the largest Indian water rights settlement in the nation. These efforts will secure water rights for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, an independent, introduced the act in the U.S. Senate on July 8. Parallel legislation was also presented in the U.S. House of Representatives, co-sponsored by Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Raúl Grijalva, Greg Stanton, and David Schweikert.

“This legislation and the settlement it ratifies represent a historic step forward in resolving a decades-long water rights dispute, providing certainty and stability for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe,” Kelly said in a statement.

Sinema added, “Our historic bipartisan legislation delivers real, lasting results for these tribes by strengthening water security, creating economic opportunities, and providing the necessary stability for their thriving communities.”

The act will settle claims related to the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River, and relevant groundwater sources in Arizona, ensuring extensive water rights for the tribes involved.

The legislation also includes billions in funding for crucial water development and delivery projects. “Securing water rights for these tribes upholds their sovereignty and paves the way for growth and prosperity,” Kelly emphasized.

Rep. Ciscomani stated, “This settlement not only delivers much-needed water security to the tribes but also allows Arizona to plan better for a secure water future, enhancing infrastructure throughout the region.”

Leslie A. Meyers from the Salt River Project hailed the agreement as the product of nearly three decades of negotiations. “This monumental achievement ensures the tribes receive critical water supplies and infrastructure necessary for their future,” Meyers said.

The water settlement authorizes $5 billion for the development and maintenance of essential water projects. These projects include a $1.75 billion distribution pipeline. The tribes are guaranteed over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water among other rights.

Grijalva advocated for congressional support, stating, “As climate change exacerbates an already devastating drought, the federal government’s obligation to deliver clean, safe water and infrastructure to the tribes is imperative.”

Leaders from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe praised the legislative efforts. “For decades, our Navajo people have lived without piped water in their homes. This is unacceptable,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.

If approved, the legislation will bring substantial drinking water infrastructure to Navajo communities, enabling tens of thousands of Navajo people to have piped water for the first time.

Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma also expressed his gratitude. “Our collective action ensures a more secure water future for the Hopi Tribe and all our neighbors in Northern Arizona,” Nuvangyaoma said.

The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe stands to gain not only from water rights but also from the establishment of the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation, providing stable resources and opportunities for the tribe.

This legislation marks a historic step in providing equitable and essential resources to the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, fulfilling a long-overdue promise for a better and more stable future.