‘This legislation ratifies the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement to provide access to clean and reliable water to the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Southern San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Arizona Congressional Delegation reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ratify the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement.
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement (NAIWRSA) Act (H.R. 2025) addresses one of the longest-running water issues in Arizona by securing water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. Additionally, this agreement allows the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to lease their water, creating new economic opportunities, and authorizes $5 billion to build and maintain essential water infrastructure in the region. Finally, this legislation will establish a homeland for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
“After having the privilege of visiting Naaslah Canyon, I realized just how enormous the scale of challenges across the Navajo Nation truly is. This piece of legislation solidified the reality of what it actually takes to ensure that Navajos across their holy land obtain access to daily necessities,” said Schweikert [AZ-01]. “The first-hand experience of hauling water with my friend, Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren, has strengthened our resolve. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act is one step closer improving water infrastructure for the entirety of the Navajo Nation.”
“I’m proud to rejoin this bipartisan and bicameral coalition of lawmakers who are working to provide life-sustaining water delivery systems for the involved Tribes in Arizona,” said Crane [AZ-02]. “As the representative for the impacted communities, I appreciate the dedication of Tribal leaders, in addition to State, County, and city officials in the district, to make this agreement a reality. I look forward to working with my colleagues to push this meaningful solution across the finish line.”
“Water is the lifeblood of Arizona’s Tribes—a resource they are owed but have spent far too long working to secure,” said Ansari [AZ-03]. “Our legislation ensures this agreement is upheld, fulfilling the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribes, and elevating their solutions and voices.”
“When this settlement is approved through Congress, it will be a monumental achievement for Arizona – one that at last upholds long-neglected federal trust obligations to Tribes by ensuring access to a clean and reliable water supply, while protecting our single most precious resource for generations to come,” said Stanton [AZ-04].
“This legislation ratifies the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement to provide access to clean and reliable water to the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Southern San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe,” said Ciscomani [AZ-06]. “This not only gives much-needed certainty to the Tribes, but it also invests in water infrastructure across the region that will enable our state to plan for a more sustainable and resilient future.”
“The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act is a long-overdue agreement that brings much-needed certainty to addressing the water needs of our northeastern Tribes and the region, benefiting all Arizonans,” said Grijalva [AZ-07]. “I urge Congressional leadership to prioritize the passage and signing of this widely supported water settlement legislation during this session.”
“This is a historic moment for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. After years of hard work and collaboration, we’re delivering a water settlement that secures reliable, clean water and strengthens Tribal sovereignty,” said Kelly [D-AZ]. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Tribal leaders and introduced this legislation last year and I will keep working with my colleagues to get this done and deliver on our promises to these communities.”
“For countless generations, Arizona’s tribes have been caretakers of the Colorado River. But for too long, water rights disputes have prevented them from having full certainty around their water future. With this historic legislation, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will finally get the security and stability they deserve,” said Gallego [D-AZ]. “I’m proud to partner with my fellow Arizonans to reintroduce this bill, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it across the finish line.”
See what Arizona Tribal Leaders and local stakeholders are saying:
“I appreciate Senator Kelly, Representative Ciscomani, Senator Gallego, Representative Crane, Representative Stanton, Representative Schweikert, Representative Ansari and Representative Grijalva reintroducing the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (NAIWRSA). NAIWRSA is about life. NAIWRSA is about our future. I also appreciate the work of the seven Colorado River Basin States for diligently working towards a consensus letter to pave the way for the 119th Congress to act this year. I am confident the seven Basin States will reach consensus soon.”
Buu Van Nygren, Navajo Nation President
“Tens of thousands of Navajo people in Arizona do not have water in their homes. The infrastructure funded under the bill secures the necessary water supply that will serve our communities and our future generations. Without this settlement, our communities will remain disproportionately vulnerable to diseases and development on our homeland will continue to be limited by the lack of water infrastructure. Consequently, the 25th Navajo Nation Council is extremely grateful for the introduction of this landmark legislation.”
Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of The Navajo Nation
“This is a truly historic moment for our Tribe and for our sister tribes. Clean, running water and permanent homes are luxuries our people have gone too long without. This legislation will ensure we have these basic human rights now and into the future. We are grateful to Senator Kelly, Senator Gallego, Congressman Ciscomani, Congressman Stanton, and the entire Arizona Delegation for their continued support for this important legislation.”
Carlene Yellowhair, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe President
“This Legislation establishes our homeland, ensures our water rights and provides for secure infrastructure. It has been a long time coming and we are excited about the new challenges and opportunities that will surely follow.”
Johnny Lehi, Jr., San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Vice President
I am grateful to our sister tribal nations, non-Indian neighbors, and the State of Arizona for putting in the difficult work to make this settlement a reality. Our collective action means a more secure water future for the Hopi Tribe and all of our neighbors in Northern Arizona. I am grateful to Senator Kelly, Senator Sinema, Congressman Ciscomani, Congressman Stanton, and the entire Arizona Delegation for their commitment to making this a reality.”
Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Hopi Tribe Chairman
“CAWCD is proud to have played an important role through the many years of negotiations that have culminated in this historic legislation. The settlement will finally bring a high-priority water supply to the Nation, and its benefits will be felt throughout the entire state.”
Brenda Burman, General Manager of Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD)
“The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement is a monumental achievement and the product of negotiations spanning almost 30 years. Salt River Project has participated in the negotiations from their inception. We enthusiastically support the bills introduced today by Senator Kelly and Congressman Ciscomani, which would approve and fund the NAIWR settlement. The settlement provides the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe with desperately needed water supplies and infrastructure to secure their future. The settlement also brings certainty to water users throughout northeastern Arizona regarding the allocation of a scarce resource.”
Leslie Meyers, Associate General Manager, Water Resources at Salt River Project
“For decades, the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribes have fought for a fundamental human right: access to water. Arizona is proud to support the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. This act will bring clean, reliable water to thousands of Indigenous families, rectify generations of injustice, and foster economic and social progress. I urge Congress to honor centuries of resilience and approve this historic settlement.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
Full text of the bill is available here.
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