Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici today reported that legislation they wrote to settle the Navajo Nation’s water rights claims in the San Juan River Basin has cleared its first hurdle. With today’s approval by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the measure can now be considered by the full Senate.

“This very important piece of legislation would bring to an end many years of uncertainty over water resources in the Four Corners region. It would ensure that the Navajo Nation, the cities of Gallup and Farmington, and farmers in the basin will have adequate and assured water supplies for years to come,” said Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I am very glad this bill is moving ahead.”

“We still face a challenge in finding offsets for this bill, but I think it is important that we go on record to show our earnestness in getting the Navajo Nation, as well as Gallup, the water they deserve,” said Domenici, ranking Republican on the committee. “The Navajo-Gallup project has been in the planning stages long enough and we should move forward to authorize and fund this ambitious project. I am also pleased that this bill will provide the necessary funding to pay for all three Indian water rights settlements in New Mexico.”

The legislation reflects a 2005 agreement between the State of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation, which needs congressional approval. It recognizes approximately 600,000 acre-feet per year of water to the Navajo Nation for agricultural, municipal, industrial, domestic and stock watering purposes. It also authorizes federal funding for the Navajo-Gallup Pipeline project and various water conservation projects in the basin.

Under the Bingaman proposal, which Domenici strongly supports, the federal government would contribute funding over about two decades to construct the pipeline and perform other activities to implement the agreement. The bill authorizes $870 million to construct the project, although some of that cost will be paid by the State of New Mexico and the communities served.

The measure also provides an assured source of funding to pay for the project, ensuring that settlement is implemented. It does this by setting aside surplus revenues in the Reclamation Fund to pay for the Navajo settlement, and future settlements. Upon enactment, these funds would be made available without further appropriation.

Representative Tom Udall introduced the measure in the House of Representatives.

Hear my comments