WASHINGTON – Today, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, alongside Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), David Schweikert (R-AZ-01), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (NAIWRSA) of 2025. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation ratifies and funds the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, resolving one of Arizona’s longest-running water disputes by securing water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
The settlement will provide reliable and safe water for these communities, allowing the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to lease a portion of their water rights, creating economic opportunities until local demand is met through new infrastructure. The legislation authorizes $5.1 billion to acquire, build, and maintain essential water development and delivery projects, including a distribution pipeline. In total, the Tribes would be guaranteed access to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, with specific groundwater rights and protections. Additionally, the agreement requires the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to leave 17,050 acre-feet per year of Arizona Upper Basin water in Lake Powell for the first 20 years. This legislation also formally establishes a homeland for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
“For countless generations, Arizona’s tribes have been caretakers of the Colorado River. But for too long, water rights disputes have prevented them from having full certainty around their water future. With this historic legislation, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will finally get the security and stability they deserve,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to partner with my fellow Arizonans to reintroduce this bill, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it across the finish line.”
“This is a historic moment for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. After years of hard work and collaboration, we’re delivering a water settlement that secures reliable, clean water and strengthens Tribal sovereignty,” said Senator Kelly. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Tribal leaders and introduced this legislation last year and I will keep working with my colleagues to get this done and deliver on our promises to these communities.”
“This legislation ratifies the historic Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement to provide access to clean and reliable water to the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Southern San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe,” said Representative Ciscomani. “This not only gives much-needed certainty to the Tribes, but it also invests in water infrastructure across the region that will enable our state to plan for a more sustainable and resilient future.”
“When this settlement is approved through Congress, it will be a monumental achievement for Arizona – one that at last upholds long-neglected federal trust obligations to Tribes by ensuring access to a clean and reliable water supply, while protecting our single most precious resource for generations to come,” said Representative Stanton.
“After having the privilege of visiting Naaslah Canyon, I realized just how enormous the scale of challenges across the Navajo Nation truly is. This piece of legislation solidified the reality of what it actually takes to ensure that Navajos across their holy land obtain access to daily necessities,” said Representative Schweikert. “The first-hand experience of hauling water with my friend, Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren, has strengthened our resolve. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act is one step closer to improving water infrastructure for the entirety of the Navajo Nation.”
“The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act is a long-overdue agreement that brings much-needed certainty to addressing the water needs of our northeastern Tribes and the region, benefiting all Arizonans,” said Representative Grijalva. “I urge Congressional leadership to prioritize the passage and signing of this widely supported water settlement legislation during this session.”
“For decades, the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribes have fought for a fundamental human right: access to water,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “Arizona is proud to support the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. This act will bring clean, reliable water to thousands of Indigenous families, rectify generations of injustice, and foster economic and social progress. I urge Congress to honor centuries of resilience and approve this historic settlement.”
“I appreciate Senator Kelly, Representative Ciscomani, Senator Gallego, Representative Crane, Representative Stanton, Representative Schweikert and Representative Grijalva reintroducing the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (NAIWRSA). NAIWRSA is about life. NAIWRSA is about our future. I also appreciate the work of the seven Colorado River Basin States for diligently working towards a consensus letter to pave the way for the 119th Congress to act this year. I am confident the seven Basin States will reach consensus soon”, said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
“Tens of thousands of Navajo people in Arizona do not have water in their homes. The infrastructure funded under the bill secures the necessary water supply that will serve our communities and our future generations. Without this settlement, our communities will remain disproportionately vulnerable to diseases and development on our homeland will continue to be limited by the lack of water infrastructure. Consequently, the 25th Navajo Nation Council is extremely grateful for the introduction of this landmark legislation,” said Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley.
“This is a truly historic moment for our Tribe and for our sister tribes. Clean, running water and permanent homes are luxuries our people have gone too long without,” said San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe President Carlene Yellowhair. “This legislation will ensure we have these basic human rights now and into the future. We are grateful to Senator Kelly, Senator Gallego, Congressman Ciscomani, Congressman Stanton, and the entire Arizona Delegation for their continued support for this important legislation.”
“This Legislation establishes our homeland, ensures our water rights and provides for secure infrastructure. It has been a long time coming and we are excited about the new challenges and opportunities that will surely follow,” said San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Vice President Johnny Lehi, Jr.
Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.