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Congress·In Committee·about 2 months ago

Congress Proposes $1 Billion Settlement to Secure Water Rights for Yavapai-Apache Nation

Also known as: Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

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.
Infrastructure TransportationEnergy Environment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 13, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Environmental compliance and preliminary design work begins on the pipeline and drinking water system

The Bureau of Reclamation can start planning and environmental review using $13 million in early funding, even before all settlement conditions are met. This is the first concrete step toward building the water infrastructure.

Enforceability Date — settlement takes full effect, funds become available, water rights are locked in

Once the Secretary of the Interior confirms all conditions are met and publishes findings in the Federal Register, the water rights, trust fund, and waivers of claims all become legally binding. If this doesn't happen by June 30, 2035, most of the Act is repealed and funds return to the Treasury.

Related News

4 articles
KNAU News and Talk·about 2 months ago

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.

CL+
Journal of the Verde Valley·29 days ago

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.

C=
Circle of Blue·about 2 months ago

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.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 3617
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.