Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026
Congress Proposes $1 Billion Settlement to Secure Water Rights for Yavapai-Apache Nation
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill officially settles long-standing legal disputes over water rights between the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the state of Arizona, and the federal government. It ensures the Tribe has a reliable, legal supply of water from the Verde and Colorado Rivers for generations to come.
- To get water to the community, the government will spend over $880 million to build a new pipeline and a modern drinking water system. This project will deliver clean water from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir directly to the Tribe's land and provide some extra water for nearby residents in Yavapai County.
- The bill creates a $156 million trust fund to help the Tribe manage its water, build wastewater systems, and protect the health of the Verde River. This money is set aside specifically for the Tribe to maintain their new water systems and restore local natural habitats.
- As part of the deal, the federal government will take several specific pieces of land into trust for the Tribe, officially making them part of the reservation. This helps the Tribe grow its territory and provides more space for housing and community services.
- In exchange for this funding and guaranteed water, the Yavapai-Apache Nation agrees to drop all current and future legal claims regarding past water rights damages. This provides certainty for other water users in Arizona by clearly defining who is allowed to use specific water sources.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Homeowners in Yavapai County near the Verde Valley could benefit from improved regional water infrastructure. The bill allows up to about 1,912 additional acre-feet per year of water from the Cragin-Verde Pipeline to serve non-tribal water users in the area, and the drinking water treatment system may be expanded to treat and deliver water for nearby communities. This could help address water supply concerns in a fast-growing, drought-prone part of Arizona.
State Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
Yavapai-Apache Nation water rights settlement reintroduced in US House and Senate
Twin bills introduced in the U.S. House and Senate would finalize a long-running water rights settlement with the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The legislation allocates over $1 billion for a pipeline from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir and a water plant to secure supplies for 2,500 tribal members.
Council approves water deal with Y-AN, SRP
The Cottonwood City Council unanimously approved water settlement agreements with the Yavapai-Apache Nation and Salt River Project. The deal, seeking Congressional approval, includes construction of a pipeline from C.C. Cragin Reservoir and aims to resolve decades of water rights disputes.
Federal Water Tap, January 5, 2026: Tribal Water Rights Settlement in Arizona Reintroduced in Congress
A bill introduced in the House would approve a water rights settlement with the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The legislation guarantees minimum flow in the Verde River and provides funding for a 60-mile water supply pipeline and treatment plant in a second attempt to pass the settlement.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.