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Audubon supports the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s water rights settlement and pending legislation, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation and other parties in Arizona have come to a historic agreement with the settlement now before Congress. Not only will this settlement—when passed by Congress and signed by the President—ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in north central Arizona’s iconic “Verde Valley,” it will preserve the Verde River and its precious habitat by reducing reliance on groundwater.
Within the Verde Valley, Audubon has identified four Important Bird Areas, all of which rely on healthy groundwater levels to sustain flowing rivers and streams and the rich plant life and wildlife they support. One of the many benefits of this settlement includes helping to sustain a portion of the Verde River downstream of the Yavapai-Apache Nation that was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1984.
The settlement is the result of innovative and creative thinking from the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Salt River Project, the Town of Camp Verde, the Town of Cottonwood, the Town of Clarkdale, and others. The settlement includes building a 60-mile water pipeline from C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson, increasing the capture of wastewater into sewer systems, boosting the use of reclaimed water, and the potential for regional water planning and collaboration among nearby municipalities and the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Audubon Southwest, our regional office in Arizona and New Mexico, is also part of the Water for Arizona Coalition. In 2022, Water for Arizona outlined a vision for how to improve Arizona’s water outlook, called the Arizona Water Security Plan. One of the six key tenets is: Continue to support Tribes in resolving Tribal water issues. This settlement is a key milestone as Arizona works to improve its overall water security.
It is long past due for the Yavapai-Apache Nation to have secure and reliable water supplies, and this settlement is a monumental step forward for their growing community. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation to enact and fund the settlement is sponsored by Arizona’s Senators Kelly (D) and Sinema (I) in the U.S. Senate. Representative Schweikert (R) introduced the U.S. House bill, cosponsored by Representatives Ciscomani (R), Lesko (R), Stanton (D), and Gallego (D).
Audubon supports the passage of the settlement legislation and the provision of approximately $1 billion to ensure the project is brought to completion. As part of our support, we sent a letter to Arizona’s Congressional delegation, which you can view below.
