Gov. Katie Hobbs signs tribal water rights settlement agreements

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs signed two settlement agreements on Tuesday that will settle water right claims for four Tribal nations, according to a press release. 

Hobbs signed the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement (NAIWRSA) and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement (YANWRSA). The settlement agreements will help with ensuring reliable water supplies for Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and Yavapai Apache Nation. 

“This is a historic moment for the state of Arizona, Tribal nations, and all parties to these agreements. They create a consequential and lasting impact by securing a sustainable water supply for tens of thousands of Arizonans and helping local economies thrive,” Hobbs said.

The NAIWRSA agreement will also settle water rights claims to the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River and groundwater sources in Northeastern Arizona. 

“I want to thank Governor Hobbs for her leadership in helping us reach this historic agreement. I also want to thank the team at the Arizona Department of Water Resources for all of their work,” President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation said. “With their help, I’m confident we can build a consensus with the seven basin states to get this through Congress.”

The NAIWRSA and YANWRSA will end a decades-long legal conflict as the tribes have battled for water rights in state court since 1974. 

Congress will need to pass legislation to approve the settlements and provide funding for water projects, according to the release. 

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