- Details
- By Brian Edwards
WASHINGTON — The Department of Interior announced Thursday that more than a dozen tribes would receive nearly nearly $580 million this year to fulfill settlements of Indian water rights claims.
The funding will help tribes develop infrastructure projects, including pipelines, irrigation systems and other projects to deliver water to tribal citizens and tribal lands.
"Water is a sacred resource, and water rights are crucial to ensuring the health, safety and empowerment of Tribal communities,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) said in a statement. “Through this funding, the Interior Department will continue to uphold our trust responsibilities and ensure that Tribal communities receive the water resources they have long been promised.”
The DOI said it would allocate $460 million from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and $120 million from the Reclamation Water Settlement Fund, which was created by Congress in 2009.
There were 34 congressionally enacted Indian Water Rights settlements covered under the infrastructure law. The federal government has trust responsibilities to fulfill these water rights, and federal policy supports the resolution of disputes through negotiated settlements.
Under the settlements, the Navajo Nation will receive a total of $178 million for its Gallup water supply projects and Utah settlement, the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes will receive $156.9 million, and the Gila River Indian Community will receive $79 million. Nine other settlements will also be funded this year, according to the DOI statement.
More Stories Like This
TIME Magazine Names Gila River Indian Community Leader to Its "2024 Time100 Climate” ListNavajo President Buu Nygren Says Remediation Fund, Cleanup of Sites is Solution to Contamination
Record Numbers of Steelhead Return to the Deschutes River, Heralding Progress in Long-term Fish Reintroduction Effort
National Park Service Issues Landmark Order for Tribal Consultations
On the Wisconsin-Iowa Border, the Mississippi River is Eroding Sacred Indigenous Mounds
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
