Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and a large delegation is in Washington, D.C., to advance the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, according to a news release.
Nygren testified before the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries on Tuesday.
Joining him are Navajo Nation first lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley, Council Delegate Carl Slater, Hopi Tribal Vice Chairman Craig Andrews, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal President Robbin Preston Jr. and Vice President Johnny Lehi, Jr.
Representatives from non-Native parties to the water settlement, including Salt River Project, farmers and ranchers and the Arizona Department of Water Resources also are in attendance.
The delegation has met with key lawmakers and officials, including several Arizona Congressmen, New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger-Fernandez, and staff from the offices of Sen. Mark Kelly and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Nygren emphasized the importance of the settlement for sustaining tribal lifestyles, agriculture, and economic development, especially given the severe drought conditions and depleting water resources in the Southwest.
“This settlement represents a united front among the tribes, a collaborative effort that is unprecedented,” he said. “We need the committee's support to drive the bill forward and to secure a brighter future for our communities.”
Nygren has called on offices to advance the bill to an immediate markup session in September and to secure a hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. This would enable the House to review the settlement first, followed by the Senate's consideration and recommendations, thereby facilitating the settlement's passage.
The tribes involved in the settlement have urged all stakeholders to acknowledge the critical importance of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and to act promptly to ensure its passage.
