Legislative hearing tackles historic tribal water rights settlements
September 25, 2024 | Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Special, Select and Other Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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During a recent legislative hearing, five significant bills aimed at resolving long-standing water rights issues for various Native American tribes were discussed. The bills include S4444, the Crow Revenue Act; S4633, the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024; S4643, the Zuni Indian Scribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024; S4705, the Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024; and S4998, the Navajo Nation Rio San Jose Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024.
S4444, introduced by Senator Danes, proposes the transfer of subsurface mineral interests from the Hope family trust to the Crow Tribe, along with federal surface land and subsurface mineral rights on Bureau of Land Management lands outside the Crow reservation. This bill aims to bolster the tribe's economic resources, particularly in light of declining coal royalties due to mine closures.
S4633, introduced by Senators Kelly and Sinema, seeks to settle water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in the Colorado River Basin. The bill includes a substantial funding provision of $5 billion to implement the settlement and establish a new 54,100-acre reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
Senators Heinrich and Lujan introduced S4643, which addresses the Zuni Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Basin, allocating $685 million for its implementation. This bill also aims to protect the culturally significant Zuni Salt Lake by placing surrounding lands into trust and withdrawing them from future development.
S4705, also introduced by Senators Kelly and Sinema, focuses on the Yavapai Apache Nation's water rights in the Verde River watershed, proposing $1 billion in funding and a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to facilitate the settlement.
Lastly, S4998, introduced by Senators Heinrich and Lujan, aims to resolve the Navajo Nation's water claims in the Rio San Jose Basin, with nearly $224 million earmarked for the settlement and an expansion of the Navajo Gallup water supply project to serve additional communities.
Vice Chair Murkowski emphasized the importance of these bills in promoting tribal self-determination and addressing historical grievances related to water and land rights. She acknowledged the significant efforts made by tribal leaders and advocates in advancing these legislative measures, which are seen as crucial steps toward securing essential resources for Native communities. The hearing included testimonies from various stakeholders, highlighting the urgency and significance of these water rights settlements.
S4444, introduced by Senator Danes, proposes the transfer of subsurface mineral interests from the Hope family trust to the Crow Tribe, along with federal surface land and subsurface mineral rights on Bureau of Land Management lands outside the Crow reservation. This bill aims to bolster the tribe's economic resources, particularly in light of declining coal royalties due to mine closures.
S4633, introduced by Senators Kelly and Sinema, seeks to settle water rights claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe in the Colorado River Basin. The bill includes a substantial funding provision of $5 billion to implement the settlement and establish a new 54,100-acre reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
Senators Heinrich and Lujan introduced S4643, which addresses the Zuni Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Basin, allocating $685 million for its implementation. This bill also aims to protect the culturally significant Zuni Salt Lake by placing surrounding lands into trust and withdrawing them from future development.
S4705, also introduced by Senators Kelly and Sinema, focuses on the Yavapai Apache Nation's water rights in the Verde River watershed, proposing $1 billion in funding and a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to facilitate the settlement.
Lastly, S4998, introduced by Senators Heinrich and Lujan, aims to resolve the Navajo Nation's water claims in the Rio San Jose Basin, with nearly $224 million earmarked for the settlement and an expansion of the Navajo Gallup water supply project to serve additional communities.
Vice Chair Murkowski emphasized the importance of these bills in promoting tribal self-determination and addressing historical grievances related to water and land rights. She acknowledged the significant efforts made by tribal leaders and advocates in advancing these legislative measures, which are seen as crucial steps toward securing essential resources for Native communities. The hearing included testimonies from various stakeholders, highlighting the urgency and significance of these water rights settlements.
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