The Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico signed an $800 million deal to settle the tribe's water rights in the San Juan River Basin but Sen. Pete Domenici (R) warned that federal funding is scarce.

Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) praised the agreement as historic. It would provide water to the tribe and to off-reservation communities.

But Domenici said the tribe and the state might have to work out another "compromise" due to limited federal funds. Domenici removed funding for a tribal irrigation project from the deal and told tribal leaders they had to support a pipeline to the non-Indian community of Gallup.

Get the Story:
Richardson, Shirley sign water rights agreement (The Farmington Daily Times 4/20)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

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