Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Legislation Introduced in Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Legislation Introduced in Congress

Washington, D.C. – July 9, 2024 – Yesterday, Congressman David Schweikert (R–Ariz.), Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), and Congressman Juan Ciscomani introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to authorize the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement. The Settlement will finally quantify the Nation’s water rights claims in the Verde River Watershed and bring new water supplies to the Verde Valley of Arizona. The Nation achieved this historic agreement after decades of negotiation among multiple parties, including the United States, the State of Arizona, local communities, the Salt River Project, and others. 

“This is a critical milestone, not only for the Yavapai-Apache Nation but also for the future of the Verde River,” said Chairwoman Tanya Lewis. “We are proud to have finally reached this moment and appreciate how hard each of the settling parties worked to achieve this comprehensive water rights settlement that will provide water certainty for the Nation and support a healthy Verde River for the benefit of the entire Verde Valley and our downstream neighbors in metropolitan Phoenix who also rely on the river to help meet their water needs.”

The bill authorizes federal funding to construct a water pipeline over existing Forest Service roads from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim to the Verde Valley that will deliver water to the Nation for treatment in a modern surface water drinking plant and distribution to the Nation’s reservation and potentially other communities in the Verde Valley. This imported source of water will allow the Nation to limit future groundwater pumping, which is a key factor in protecting flows in the Verde River, a critically important cultural resource for the Yavapai and Apache people. 

“H.R. 8949 promotes growth for the Yavapai-Apache Nation by delivering critical resources,” said Rep. Schweikert. “The bipartisan bill provides the means to construct infrastructure to water sources, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this important legislation.”

The bill will also confirm existing surface water and groundwater rights for the Nation and provide for waivers on behalf of the Nation and the United States on its behalf of certain water rights and water-related damage claims against existing water users in the watershed.

Chairwoman Lewis expressed her gratitude, stating, “On behalf of all current and former Tribal leaders who worked tirelessly for so many years to see this day come, we want to thank Congressman Schweikert and our entire Congressional delegation for their deep commitment to achieving water settlements in Arizona. The passage of the Yavapai-Apache Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024, will benefit not just the Nation but all our valued partners who have worked so hard to get this done.”

The Nation has a young and growing population with at least 36% of the Nation’s Tribal members under the age of 18 years.  “The water confirmed in this settlement will help support needed housing and economic development for years to come – truly ensuring that our Reservation remains a permanent Tribal homeland for our people,” Chairwoman Lewis said.

For more information contact: Tanya Lewis, Chairwoman, Yavapai-Apache Nation, (928) 567-1021