Bill > S4633

This bill, the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024, provides for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. Key provisions include: authorizing and ratifying the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement; allocating Colorado River water to the Tribes; establishing trust funds for the Tribes to fund water projects and operations and maintenance; authorizing the construction of the iiná bá - paa tuwaqat'si pipeline to deliver water to the Tribes; waiving and releasing certain water rights claims by the Tribes and the United States acting as trustee; and appropriating over $5 billion to fund the settlement. The bill aims to achieve a fair, equitable, and final settlement of all claims to water rights in the state for the Tribes and the United States acting as trustee for the Tribes.