Bush budget ignores tribal water projects

Wednesday, February 6, 2008  

Tribal water projects were ignored by President Bush in his fiscal year 2009 budget.

The budget contains no money for a major project that would supply water to the Navajo Nation and communities in New Mexico. There's not any money for the Jicarilla Apache Nation's water project either.

Tribal water and waste water projects also saw a drastic cut. Bush is seeking just $2 million, down from $15 million in the current year.

“When it comes to water, this bill is not good for New Mexico,” Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) said in a statement.

The Bush administration has balked at the cost of a number of Indian water rights settlements.

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