• Settlement ends decades-long battle.
• Benefits thousands without running water.
• Funding for critical water infrastructure.
• Navajo leaders call it a ‘pivotal moment.’

March 4, 2024 — The Navajo Nation is on the cusp of a historic water rights settlement in Arizona. Following 60 years of negotiations, the agreement will resolve water rights claims and pave the way for much-needed water infrastructure. Thousands of Navajo people who currently lack running water stand to benefit.

The Hopi Tribe and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will also benefit, should a final agreement be reached.

Parties include the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the San Juan Southern Paiute, the United States, Arizona, Arizona State Land Department, Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service, Central Arizona Water Conservation District, Bar T Bar Ranch, Flying M Ranch, the towns and cities of Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook, Taylor, Snowflake, Show Low, Eagar, Springerville, St. Johns, and other parties to the larger Little Colorado River general stream adjudication.

Navajo leaders see this as a major victory after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year denied specific treaty obligations on the federal government regarding Navajo water rights. The ruling became a turning point, pushing the Nation to pursue this settlement aggressively.

The complex agreement includes water rights from multiple sources, including the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers and key aquifers. Additionally, the settlement outlines a potential path for infrastructure funding to finally connect remote Navajo homes to water sources.  One in three Navajo homes lack access to running water.  Many have to haul water from communal wells for basic water needs, oftentimes up to 50 miles.

The settlement agreement is not final as of this writing; however, the parties are optimistic it will be reached.

More specific details about the proposal are available at The Arizona Republic.

Image:

Navajo Code Talkers Memorial, 2014, John Fowler, Creative Commons License via Wikimedia Commons.