A bipartisan coalition of Arizona lawmakers on Tuesday reignited efforts to finalize a $5.1 billion water rights settlement for three Native American tribes in the Colorado River Basin.
Arizona Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego introduced the “Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act,” which would enshrine an agreement reached last year by the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe to secure their share of flows from the Colorado River.
Companion legislation is sponsored in the House by Arizona GOP Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Greg Stanton and David Schweikert and Democratic Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari.
“After years of hard work and collaboration, we’re delivering a water settlement that secures reliable, clean water and strengthens Tribal sovereignty,” Kelly said in a statement.
