{"id":41980,"date":"2024-10-15T14:14:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T18:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=41980"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:57:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:57:02","slug":"cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/10\/15\/cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Cronkite News: Tribes go to Congress in long-running fight for water rights"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7LFXj-fm3DE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Indianz.Com Video: <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/26\/video-legislative-hearing-to-receive-testimony-on-s-4444-s-4633-s-4643-s-4705-s-4998\/>Senate Committee on Indian Affairs &#8211; Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998 &#8211; September 25, 2024<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">Arizona tribes\u2019 long fight for share of Colorado River water nears resolution in Congress<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Tuesday, October 15, 2024<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Gabrielle Wallace<\/div>\r\n<DIV class=source>Cronkite News<\/DIV>\r\n<DIV class=source-website><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/cronkitenews.azpbs.org\/\">cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<p>WASHINGTON, D.C. &#8212; Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of its water under a deal struck over a century ago \u2013 a deal that excluded the Hopi, the Navajo and other tribal nations.<\/p>\r\n<p>After years of pressure and negotiation, Congress is moving to rectify what the tribes have long seen as an injustice that has caused enormous hardship.<\/p>\r\n<p><span id=\"more-173477\"><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re closer than we\u2019ve ever been before in reaching a final settlement,\u201d Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs with the Department of the Interior, told a Senate hearing on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n<p>Representatives from four Arizona tribes \u2013 the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute and the Navajo Nation \u2013 said the settlements, once approved by Congress, will secure their long-standing claims and provide more accessible water for their people.<\/p>\r\n<p>Almost a third of members of the Hopi, Navajo and other tribes have no running water, and leaders say the water currently available isn\u2019t sufficient for growing populations.<\/p>\r\n <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/10\/15\/cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights\/buunygren-6\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-41987\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"41987\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/10\/15\/cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights\/buunygren-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/buunygren.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1552\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Buu Nygren\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Buu Nygren&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren speaks on the tribe\u2019s need for improved water access and the passing of two water settlement acts to help guarantee this during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., on September 25, 2024. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/buunygren.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/buunygren.jpg\" alt=\"Buu Nygren\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1552\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41987\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren speaks on the tribe\u2019s need for improved water access and the passing of two water settlement acts to help guarantee this during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., on September 25, 2024. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation<\/figcaption>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<p>\u201cCongress must act to end the water crisis on the Navajo Nation,\u201d said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who recalled that he didn\u2019t have running water until he went off to college at Arizona State University.<\/p>\r\n<p>The water insecurity crisis has been felt for generations, he said.<\/p>\r\n<p>Navajo people sometimes have to haul water for over 30 miles, a costly and time-consuming exercise.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 and the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 would provide funds for pipelines and other infrastructure. The bills would also impose pumping restrictions to ensure that groundwater is not depleted.<\/p>\r\n<p>The process has been slow. The Gila River Adjudication process started over 50 years ago.<\/p>\r\n<p>Disputes over the Colorado River stem from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usbr.gov\/lc\/region\/pao\/pdfiles\/crcompct.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1922 compact<\/a> between Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWithout the settlement, a cloud of uncertainty will remain over tribal water claims in the Colorado River basin and tens of thousands of tribal members will continue to struggle to meet their basic needs,\u201d said Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat who introduced the settlement bills with fellow Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent.<\/p>\r\n <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/10\/15\/cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights\/senatecommitteeonindianaffairs-36\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-41989\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1366\" data-attachment-id=\"41989\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/10\/15\/cronkite-news-tribes-go-to-congress-in-long-running-fight-for-water-rights\/senatecommitteeonindianaffairs-36\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/senatecommitteeonindianaffairs.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1366\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Senate Committee on Indian Affairs\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Senate Committee on Indian Affairs&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, middle standing, and the Vice President of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Johnny Lehi Jr., right of Nygren, at the witness table in the Indian Affairs committee hearing room on September 25, 2024. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/senatecommitteeonindianaffairs.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/senatecommitteeonindianaffairs.jpg\" alt=\"Senate Committee on Indian Affairs\"   class=\"size-full wp-image-41989\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, middle standing, and the Vice President of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Johnny Lehi Jr., right of Nygren, at the witness table in the Indian Affairs committee hearing room on September 25, 2024. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<p>The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 would address claims to water from major stems of the Colorado River and Colorado River basin, providing running water to many Navajo and Hopi people.<\/p>\r\n<p>It also sets aside 5,100 acres near Tuba City and another 300 acres in Utah to create a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThe mental-emotional impact of being a landless, homeless tribe is something I wouldn\u2019t wish upon anyone,\u201d said Johnny Lehi Jr., the tribe\u2019s vice president.<\/p>\r\n<p>The infrastructure funding \u201cwould provide the water we need to make our nation a true homeland.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>The other Arizona bill ensures access to the Verde River in the Verde Valley for the Yavapai-Apache people. The bill would also provide over $1 billion for water infrastructure, pipelines and filtration systems.<\/p>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/playlists\/1882077725&#038;color=%23ff5500&#038;auto_play=false&#038;hide_related=true&#038;show_comments=false&#038;show_user=false&#038;show_reposts=false&#038;show_teaser=false&#038;visual=true\"><\/iframe> \r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Indianz.Com Audio: <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/26\/audio-legislative-hearing-to-receive-testimony-on-s-4444-s-4633-s-4643-s-4705-s-4998\/>Senate Committee on Indian Affairs &#8211; Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998 &#8211; September 25, 2024<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<p>Tanya Lewis, chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache, said the upgrades are overdue, as are the federal efforts to ensure access to water.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThe legislation will finally grant us what the United States promised us in the 1852 Apache treaty,\u201d she said, referring to a pact in which the United States assured tribal sovereignty, including protection of water rights, while requiring the Apache to end their incursions into Mexico.<\/p>\r\n<p>According to Lewis, the tribe\u2019s water rights were never explicitly taken away. Instead, she said, the reservation was opened to other settlers whose water usage left too little for the rest of the residents.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThe state of Arizona prospered while my people suffered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<STRONG>For more stories from Cronkite News, visit <A href=\"https:\/\/cronkitenews.azpbs.org\/?utm_source=referral&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=client\">cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A>.<\/STRONG>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<HR><EM>Note: This story originally <a href=\"https:\/\/cronkitenews.azpbs.org\/2024\/09\/27\/congress-nears-deal-arizona-tribal-rights-colorado-river-water\/\">appeared on Cronkite News<\/a>.  It  is published via a <A href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative  Commons license<\/A>. Cronkite News is produced by the <A href=\"https:\/\/cronkite.asu.edu\/\">Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication<\/A> at <A href=\"https:\/\/www.asu.edu\">Arizona State University<\/A>.<\/EM><HR>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\"h4-responsive\">Related Stories<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/26\/audio-legislative-hearing-to-receive-testimony-on-s-4444-s-4633-s-4643-s-4705-s-4998\/\" title=\"AUDIO: Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998\">AUDIO: Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998<\/a> (September 26, 2024)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/26\/video-legislative-hearing-to-receive-testimony-on-s-4444-s-4633-s-4643-s-4705-s-4998\/\" title=\"VIDEO: Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998\">VIDEO: Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.4444, S.4633, S.4643, S.4705 &#038; S.4998<\/a> (September 26, 2024)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/09\/24\/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-takes-up-water-rights-at-legislative-hearing\/\" title=\"Senate Committee on Indian Affairs takes up water rights at legislative hearing\">Senate Committee on Indian Affairs takes up water rights at legislative hearing<\/a> (September 24, 2024)<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of water under a deal struck over a century ago \u2013 a deal that excluded tribal nations.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,20,13,1,14],"tags":[3586,42,117,625,3240,46,346,94,118,464,1319,5428,743,405,24,5423,5425,5426,5427,213,91,5150,153,2378],"class_list":["post-41980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-indian-trust","category-law","category-national","category-politics","tag-118th","tag-arizona","tag-bia","tag-bryan-newland","tag-buu-nygren","tag-cronkite-news","tag-dc","tag-democrats","tag-doi","tag-hopi","tag-infrastructure","tag-johnny-lehi","tag-kyrsten-sinema","tag-mark-kelly","tag-navajo","tag-s-4633","tag-s-4705","tag-s-4998","tag-san-juan-southern-paiute","tag-scia","tag-senate","tag-tanya-lewis","tag-water","tag-yavapai-apache","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/15\/buunygren.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-aV6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41980"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41994,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41980\/revisions\/41994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}