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Environment
Navajo Nation accused of 'extortion' in water deal


A lawyer for the city of Farmington, New Mexico, says the Navajo Nation is trying to get more water than it needs out of proposed water settlement.

Lawyer Gary Horner told The Farmington Daily Times that the tribe is trying to negotiate for 600,000 acre-feet of water. He claims the tribe only needs 300,000 acre-feet but wants more to sell to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and local power plants.

The tribe, the state and the federal government have proposed settling the tribe's claims on the San Juan River. The deal was not well received by local officials, local water users and some tribal members. A second draft is being worked on behind closed doors, the paper reported.

Get the Story:
Attorney: Navajos trying to control water (The Farmington Daily Times 5/25)

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

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Water rights discussion excluded Navajo Nation (04/13)
Navajo Nation continuing work on water settlement (2/26)
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