Communities seek to modify Navajo Nation water rights settlement

Tuesday, February 1, 2011  

Two communities in New Mexico, along with thousands of residents, want to modify the Navajo Nation water rights settlement.

President Barack Obama signed the settlement into law in 2009. It resolves the tribe's rights to the San Juan River but the cities of Bloomfield and Aztec say it isn't fair.

"Bloomfield and Aztec aren't opposed to the settlement. They just want to make sure the settlement amount of water proposed is fair," attorney Richard B. Cole told The Farmington Daily Times.

The Navajo Reservation was set aside by treaty in 1868. But the two cities say the boundaries at that time did not include two Navajo ditches that are due to receive water as part of the settlement.

Get the Story:
Aztec, Bloomfield oppose water rights settlement (The Farmington Daily Times 2/1)

Column: Water rights settlement a 'milestone' for Navajo Nation (12/14)