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Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission

 

Supporting Navajo Water Rights Through Public Advocacy

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Securing Water Rights and Infrastructure for Navajo Communities

Explore the groundbreaking efforts behind the approval of key water rights settlements and projects aimed at ensuring water security for Navajo Nation communities. From the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement to the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, these initiatives provide vital resources for sustainable growth, community well-being, and long-term resilience against drought challenges.

APPROVAL PROCESS for the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement

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APPROVAL PROCESS for the Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Agreement in New Mexico

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APPROVAL PROCESS for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023 in New Mexico

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Key Benefits and Immediate Goals of the Water Rights Settlement

Discover the substantial benefits of the water settlement, including infrastructure improvements, water security, and the path toward legislative approval.

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Arizona & New Mexico Legislative Updates

Arizona

AZ Senate Summary
Senator Kelly Introduces 2024 Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act

AZ Senate Releases Bill S. 4633
Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Act 2024

AZ House of Representative Releases Bill H.R. 8940
Arizona House of Representative Bill H.R 8940

New Mexico

NM House of Representative Releases Bill H.R. 8945
House of Representative Releases Bill H.R. 8945

 Upcoming Live Events & Recorded Sessions

Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S. 4444, S. 4633, S. 4643, S. 4705 & S. 4998 and Business Meeting to consider S. 465, S. 2908, S. 4370 - Indian Affairs Committee
(Wednesday September 25, 2024, Time: 2:30PM)

Recorded

 The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act Signing Ceremony
(Wednesday July 17, 2024, The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act Signing Ceremony at the Heard Museum, Steele Auditorium, Phoenix, Ariz.)

 Federal Legislation to Approve AZ Water Rights Settlement introduced in House & Senate
(Wednesday July 10, 2024 at 6 PM - 8 PM DST, Rebroadcast on KTNN)

 Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1304, H.R. 3977, H.R. 6599, H.R. 7240, H.R. 8685, H.R. 8791, H.R. 8920, H.R. 8940, H.R. 8945, H.R. 8949, H.R. 8951 & H.R. 8953 | Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee
(Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 10:15 a.m., Longworth House Office Building)

  • H.R. 3977 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), “Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023”;
  • H.R. 8940 (Rep. Ciscomani), “Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024”;
  • H.R. 8945 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), “Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024”;
  • H.R. 8949 (Rep. Schweikert), “Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024”;

az CHAPTER & ORGANIZATION SUPPORT

Template for Chapter Agency Council Resolution Supporting Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement
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Template for Organizations Supporting Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement
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Attorney General Cover Letter requesting support for Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement
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NM CHAPTER & ORGANIZATION SUPPORT

Template for Chapter Agency Council Resolution Supporting Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement
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Template for Organizations Supporting Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement
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Southwestern Tribal Historic Water Settlements:
Arizona & New Mexico

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Arizona Settlement

This agreement will settle all of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe water rights claims in Arizona, as follows: Upper Basin of the Colorado River, Lower Basin of the Colorado River, Little Colorado River (LCR) Basin, Groundwater (including the Navajo Aquifer (N-Aquifer), the Coconino Aquifer (C-Aquifer), and alluvial aquifers), Gila River Basin (Big Boquillas Ranch)

New Mexico Settlement

This agreement will settle all of the Navajo Nation water rights claims in New Mexico.

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Ensuring Reliable Access to Clean Water For Navajo Nation

135K+

Navajo Residents Including Allottees

~26%

Without Reliable Access to Water

+27,000

Square Miles Across AZ, NM, & UT

For the Navajo people, water is more than just a resource ⎻ it's the lifeblood of our community and our future. Yet, for 30% of our residents, clean running water remains unreliable. Together, with dedication and transparency, we aim to change that.

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Who We Are

The Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission (NNWRC) supports the Navajo Department of Justice's Water Rights Unit and the Navajo Water Management Branch, combining expertise in law and hydrology. To date, the Nation has secured over 681,000 acre-feet of water, 300+ miles of pipeline, and $210 million for Utah-Navajo water projects. 

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WHY THE

Commission Matters

 

Tribal Sovereignty

Every acre-foot of water we secure is a step towards a thriving, self-sufficient Navajo Nation.

Public Education

In a landscape of information technology and social media, we strive to keep our communities informed, including our elders.

 

Protecting Navajo Interests

Our duty is to ensure access to water and promote the health and the vitality of our culture.

HOW THE

Commission Works

 

Community Outreach

The Commissioners and support staff immerse themselves in community discussions, gathering crucial information and data about water needs.

 

Water Resource Planning 

Information is assessed by the Navajo Nation Water Management Branch, in coordination with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and Indian Health Service, to prioritize community water projects.

 

Advocacy & Negotiation

We support negotiations for maximum water allocation, ensuring a prosperous future for the Navajo Nation.


THE FUTURE AT STAKE

Successful negotiations open doors to a brighter, prosperous future. We envision adequate water supplies and infrastructure projects leading to sustainable growth and community development. Future uncertainties and risks that threaten our water rights include climate change, drought, and competing water claims. Failure to secure our rights could jeopardize not just water access, but the very essence of our communities' progress.

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Navajo Water Rights Settlements

The lands of the Navajo Nation are located within the four sacred mountains, spanning across three states, with multiple water basins and sub-basins. The Nation has settled its claims in the San Juan River Basin Utah and San Juan River Basin New Mexico, both within the Upper Basin. The Nation is currently working to resolve water rights claims in Upper Basin Colorado River Arizona, Lower Basin Colorado River Mainstem, Little Colorado River Basin Arizona, Little Colorado River Basin New Mexico, which includes the Zuni River, and the Rio Grande Basin New Mexico. Navajo Nation lies within the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins; therefore, it must abide by a collection of compacts, treaties, statutes, and other authorities referred to as the Law of the Colorado River, which governs water allocations and apportionments. The purpose of this website is to educate the public on the complexity of Tribal Rights, including its legislative and hydrological context.

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Questions or Comments?

We Want Your Input!

Help us improve the educational resources that are offered on the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission website! What additional information would you like to see added to the site?

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Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission

 

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 4251
Window Rock, AZ
86515

Contact Us

 

928-871-7574

928-871-6200

nn-wrc@navajo-nsn.gov

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