Ciscomani Continues Effort to Ratify Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, this week continued his effort in Congress to ratify the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement.
On Tuesday, Ciscomani testified in front of the House Natural Resources Committee, urging his colleagues to swiftly pass his legislation to solidify and fund the agreement, the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (H.R. 8940), through the committee. On Wednesday, Ciscomani met with leadership from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, as well as stakeholders from the Arizona Department of Water Resources and Salt River Project.
Watch Ciscomani’s remarks from the hearing HERE. View photos from the Congressman’s meeting with Tribal and water stakeholders HERE.
"This settlement represents a monumental moment for the tribes and the State of Arizona’s water future as a whole,” said Ciscomani in his testimony. “It is hard to overstate the tireless efforts and decades of work that all parties of this legislation have put into this settlement. For far too long, many tribal communities in Northern Arizona have had a lack of access or no access at all to clean drinking water. It is high time we right this wrong and ensure these families and communities have reliable water resources, which is the foundation of a thriving community.”
Earlier this month, the Congressman led a bipartisan, bicameral group of his Arizona colleagues in introducing the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which was supported by all three Tribes, the Salt River Project (SRP), Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), and the State of Arizona. This effort will provide reliable and safe water for these communities, allowing the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to lease their water and creating economic opportunities until local demand is met through new infrastructure. It also authorizes $5 billion to acquire, build, and maintain essential water development and delivery projects, including a $1.75 billion distribution pipeline. In total, the Tribes would be guaranteed access to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, and specific ground water rights and protections. Additionally, this legislation will establish a homeland for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.