Tribal leaders testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Wednesday in support of a landmark water rights settlement.
The agreement would secure 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually to the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
The Northeastern Indian Water Rights Settlement agreement has been years in the making.
The deal would bring water to nearly 30% of Navajo and Hopi residents without running water, many of whom are forced to haul water for miles.
Navajo President Buu Nygren told KNAU that the hearing was a positive step as tribal and state leaders push Congress to ratify the settlement.
“I walked out of there very encouraged — very inspired,” Nygren says. “And we’re all united on this. I know the state of Arizona, a lot of the ranchers and also the tribes involved. We know that this is good for our communities.”
All three tribes, the state of Arizona and countless local stakeholders ratified the agreement.
The deal would also provide more than $5 billion for water infrastructure.
Hopi Chairman Lamar Keevama says it’s a small price compared to overall federal spending.
“You know, we have no problem sending trillions of dollars overseas,” Keevama says. “What’s $5.1 billion to three Indigenous nations within the United States of America, that would bring clean, reliable water to their homelands?”
Interior Department officials explained to senators that the price tag is challenging unless Congress provides the department with additional funding.
“I do need to reiterate that $5 billion is a lot of money,” Assistant Secretary of the Interior Scott Cameron told the senators.
