Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, continued his effort this week in Congress to ratify the 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). On Wednesday, he 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.

"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, Congressman Ciscomani led a bipartisan, bicameral group of his Arizona colleagues in introducing the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. This initiative has garnered support from all three Tribes involved—the Salt River Project (SRP), Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), and the State of Arizona. The act aims to provide reliable and safe water for these communities by allowing the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to lease their water while creating economic opportunities until local demand is met through new infrastructure.

The legislation authorizes $5 billion to acquire, build, and maintain essential water development and delivery projects, including a $1.75 billion distribution pipeline. In total, it guarantees access for the Tribes to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water along with specific groundwater rights and protections. Additionally, it will establish a homeland for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.