Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) said the Navajo Nation's proposed water settlement "doesn�t seem to be percolating in the right direction," The Farmington Daily Times reports.

Domenici spoke at a water law conference in New Mexico. He said he was concerned about the rising cost of the settlement and non-Indian users who are affected by it. The cost has grown from $800 million to $1.2 billion, he said.

Domenici also addressed a controversial portion of the settlement -- a water pipeline for the city of Gallup. Some Navajos object to the provision, saying the off-reservation community shouldn't get any of their water.

"Well, let me tell the Navajos, if there are any of them here, there will be no Navajo water unless there is Gallup water in the deal," Domenici was quoted as saying.

Get the Story:
Domenici: Water system too adversarial (The Farmington Daily Times 8/17)
Share water, official urges (The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/17)
Domenici: Share Water Rights (The Albuquerque Journal 8/17)

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

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Meeting held on Navajo Nation water settlement (7/29)
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