Gov. Katie Hobbs gives her State of the State address on Jan. 13, 2025. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror
In her State of the State address Monday, Gov. Katie Hobbs said that securing Arizona’s water future is essential to preserving the state’s way of life — including providing reliable water resources to Indigenous communities.
“In November, I signed historic water settlements with leaders from four tribal nations — ending decades of litigation and finally settling their water rights,” Hobbs said in the speech she delivered on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives.
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In November, Hobbs signed the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement.
To highlight the need for secure water resources within Indigenous communities, Hobbs shared the story of Judy Elthsosie, a Navajo woman from the Black Falls community of the Navajo Nation who lives without running water.
Hobbs said that Elthsosie has lived without running water for her entire life. When she needs water, she drives 30 miles to a reliable source.
Elthsosie will make the trip up as often as three times a week during the summer months, Hobb said, adding that it would be life-changing for Elthsosie to have reliable access to clean drinking water.
According to the tribe, more than 30% of the Navajo Nation’s homes lack running water. However, through the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement, the Navajo Nation hopes to gain access to more water that will benefit its people.
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 would ratify and fund the largest Indian water rights settlement in the country, and would secure water rights for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
Hobbs and tribal leaders signed the settlement in 2024, but it still needs to be approved by Congress to go into effect. It was introduced in the U.S. Senate in July 2024 by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly.
“It’s time for Congress to do their part and pass these settlements so that Judy, her community, and future generations have access to the safe, clean water they deserve,” Hobbs said in her speech.
The agreement will settle the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe’s claims to the main stem of the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River and relevant groundwater sources in Arizona.
It includes billions of dollars in funding for essential water development and delivery projects for the tribes.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told the Arizona Mirror in a statement that he appreciates Hobbs mentioning their water settlement because it is critical for the tribe.
“With her help, I’m more confident that Congress will take it up and approve it in its next session,” Nygren said. “Governor Hobbs is a visionary leader who understands that without access to clean running water in Navajo homes, my people’s future is stuck in the past.”
Hobbs also mentioned the Yavapai-Apache Nations Water Rights Settlement Agreement in her speech. This agreement would resolve the tribes’ water rights claims and provide additional water supplies to the Verdy Valley and the tribe.
Kelly also introduced the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act in July 2024. It authorizes a little over $1 billion in funding for the tribe to build and maintain essential water infrastructure, including the Cragin-Verde Pipeline and a Surface Water Drinking Plant.
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