Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement
The Navajo Nation Council has approved a proposed water rights settlement to secure water for its tribe and two others in the drought-stricken Southwest, potentially the most expensive enacted by Congress. The settlement involves seeking over $5 billion, with a major portion funding a pipeline from Lake Powell to deliver water to tribal communities.
Key Points
- Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley described the day as 'momentous'
- Settlement involves seeking over $5 billion, with a significant portion for a pipeline from Lake Powell
- Nearly a third of homes in Navajo Nation lack running water
- Tribes seeking water from various sources due to worsening impacts of climate change
Pros
- Securing water rights for Navajo Nation and two other tribes
- Ensuring reliable water supply and infrastructure for generations
- Addressing water scarcity in the drought-stricken Southwest
Cons
- Potential challenges in completing the proposed pipeline project by 2040
- Historical exclusion of tribes from landmark water agreements