Navajo Nation leaders said the New Mexico Legislature shouldn't try to re-open a proposed water settlement between the tribe, the state and the federal government.

Some lawmakers say that non-Indians weren't involved in the process. But Navajo leaders say the deal went through the proper channels.

The settlement has been criticized because it was announced last December, but the state and the tribe only gave tribal members and the public a month to comment. Some Navajo grassroots leaders wanted more time.

Under the deal, the tribe would get 322,000 acre-feet a year and $900 million in public works projects, including a water pipeline.

Documents relating to the deal can be found at http://www.seo.state.nm.us/water-info/NavajoSettlement/index.html.

Get the Story:
Navajos want Legislature to back off (The Farmington Daily Times 1/28)
City tables Navajo water settlement resolution (The Farmington Daily Times 1/28)

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

Related Stories:
More non-Native input sought into N.M. water deal (1/27)
Navajo leaders not fazed by water deal critics (12/19
Proposal to settle Navajo water rights criticized (12/18)
Deal would settle Navajo Nation water claims (12/08)
Navajo Nation paid $192K to 'stay out' of deal (06/13)
State, feds accept water sharing agreement (6/11)
Navajo Nation approves water use agreement (04/18)
Navajo Nation panel to vote on water agreement (4/17)
Editorial: Navajo farmers should cut back on water (04/04)
Navajo farmers offered money for water usage (4/2)
Navajo water agreement not dead, local officials say (03/24)
Navajo Nation panel turns down water deal (3/19)