Navajo Nation Approves Agreement to Secure Colorado River Water

The Navajo Nation Council has made history by signing off on a proposed water rights settlement that would secure water for two other Native American tribes in a state facing water shortages. The agreement, which is larger in scale than any previous congressional water rights settlement, aims to ensure water deliveries to tribal communities that have been struggling for generations.

The Navajo Nation, with one of the largest outstanding claims in the Colorado River basin, took a significant step forward as delegates unanimously approved the settlement. The Hopi tribe had already given their approval, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Council was expected to follow suit.

The $5 billion settlement includes funding for a pipeline from Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border, with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation tasked to complete the project by 2040. This pipeline would deliver water to remote tribal communities where nearly a third of homes lack running water.

The tribes are seeking water from various sources, including the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River, aquifers, and washes on tribal lands. The urgency of the settlement talks is driven by worsening impacts from climate change and increasing demands on the river.

Without a settlement, the tribes would be left to navigate the complexities of court battles for water rights. The agreement represents a significant step towards securing water access for tribal communities that have long been marginalized in water allocation decisions.