Water
Water is our most precious resource. It sustains life, fuels our ecosystems, powers industry, and nourishes our crops and livestock. As Arizona’s economy and population continue to grow, the success of our state relies on our ability to protect our water supply. As your Congressman, I will continue to push for funding, legislation, and other efforts that promote a more secure water future. In March 2024, I was featured in the Irrigation Leader Magazine for my efforts to promote a more secure water future for our state.
Central to any conversation about water is the Colorado River, which provides water to over 40 million people in the West and roughly 36% of Arizona’s water supply. This is why I launched the Colorado River Caucus to lead a bipartisan coalition of members from the seven basin states to work together on conservation and resiliency efforts and prevent extensive cuts to Arizona’s water delivery.
In the 118th Congress, I introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to ratify and fund the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, a historic agreement that settles one of the longest-running water issues in Arizona. This would finally secure water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Southern San Juan Paiute Tribe and improve water infrastructure throughout the region. This is the largest water settlement deal ever brokered in Arizona.
In addition, I introduced the Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act to support drought and flood resiliency across the country by improving a watershed program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Reauthorization (TAAP) Act to reauthorize the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), a federal program that supports binational research on groundwater security, quantity, and quality in border communities. You can read an op-ed on all my water efforts last Congress here.
Additionally, using my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I helped preliminarily secure $12.5 million for maintenance and repair of the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) to complete the transfer of ownership from the City of Nogales to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). For decades, families in Nogales faced challenges with untreated wastewater coming from Mexico and overflowing into the street during storms. This agreement will strengthen public health and safety in Nogales.
You can find a breakdown of all the legislation I introduced in the 118th Congress here.
In the 119th Congress, I introduced the following water-focused legislation:
- The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (H.R. 2025) would address one of the longest-running water issues in Arizona by ratifying the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, which would secure water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. Additionally, this agreement creates new economic opportunities by allowing the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to lease their water, authorizes $5 billion to build and maintain water infrastructure in the region, and establishes a homeland for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
For more information concerning work promoting a secure water future, please contact our office.
More on Water
WASHINGTON – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) announced the re-launch of the Colorado River Caucus, which he will co-chair with Congressman Neguse (CO-02).
This bipartisan effort and collaboration will foster greater cooperation between the seven Western states impacted by the rapid depletion of the Colorado River.
TUCSON, AZ – Congressman Juan Ciscomani convened a diverse group of Arizona business, community and policy leaders for a roundtable discussion on the recently passed H.R. 1 – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), highlighting key wins for border security, economic development, tax relief, and local priorities.
TUCSON, AZ - On Earth Day, U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani joined Audubon Southwest, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Business for Water Stewardship, and other key local water stakeholders while visiting a desert riparian area in Pima County.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ratify the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement.