WASHINGTON – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told federal officials here this week that legislation for two major water rights settlements has been introduced in the Navajo Nation Council and he is seeking its unanimous passage.
“For too long, the Navajo Nation has waited for the promise of a secure water future,” President Nygren told U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton. “Today, we stand on the cusp of securing that future. We seek not only the approval but the active support of federal officials to move these life-giving settlements through Congress swiftly.”
On Tuesday, President Nygren and Navajo Nation Washington Office Director Justin Ahasteen met with BOR Commissioner Touton to brief her on the Navajo Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement and the Navajo/New Mexico Rio San José Water Settlement.
Both pieces of legislation, sponsored by Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley, were introduced Friday and Monday.
Speaking to officials, the President said the proposed settlements provide the framework to recognize and quantify water rights for the Navajo Nation. That includes significant allocations from the Colorado River and its tributaries, as well as billions of dollars in federal funding for water infrastructure projects.
He said construction of pipelines and water treatment facilities are crucial to enhance the quality of life and health on the Navajo Nation and to enable the Navajo economy to expand to sustain the growing Navajo population on the people’s homeland.
“Our communities cannot afford delay,” he told them. “Each day without these settlements means another day without adequate water for many Navajo families. We are determined to see these agreements through to fruition, not just for us but for future generations.”
Director Ahasteen said the President’s meetings mark an important moment in the Navajo Nation’s efforts and history to secure a sustainable water supply.
“This is fundamental to the Nation’s sovereignty and economic vitality,” Ahasteen said. “The Navajo Nation looks to continued collaboration with our federal partners to ensure these vital water rights settlements are enacted into law promptly.”
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CUTLINE: Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Navajo Nation Washington Office Director Justin Ahasteen met with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton to brief her on two significant water rights settlements in Arizona and New Mexico that have been introduced to the Navajo Nation Council for approval.
