Water bills for tribes in Arizona to head to President Biden

Three bills that would improve access to water for some tribes in Arizona amid an unrelenting drought are now poised for President Joe Biden’s desk.

The U.S. House approved the legislation on Dec. 22, just a few days after the U.S. Senate did.

One measure would give the Colorado River Indian Tribes in northwestern Arizona the ability to lease water from the Colorado River. The tribe based in Parker has one of the largest allocations of Colorado River anywhere, and it’s among the most secure.

Another bill would settle the Hualapai Tribe’s claim to water from the Colorado River and give the tribe $180 million for the infrastructure to deliver it to the tribe’s main tourist center at Grand Canyon West and to residents.

The third bill would amend a 2010 water rights settlement for the White Mountain Apache Tribe in eastern Arizona to authorize additional federal funding for a rural water system and dam. The bill also would extend the deadline to complete the projects.

Related stories

Featured

Ex-Reclamation commissioner to head Arizona water entity amid climate change, drought

Brenda Burman will lead the Central Arizona Project at a time when the seven states in the river’s basin are being asked to cut back significantly on water use because of climate change and drought.

Featured

New US plan could lead to federal action on Colorado River

Nevada, Arizona and Mexico will have to cut their water use in 2023 for a second year in a row under existing agreements.

Featured

Winners, losers in Colorado River water cuts for Western states

Lake Mead and Lake Powell — the two largest reservoirs on the Colorado River — are about a quarter full, threatening water supplies and the generation of hydroelectric power used by millions of people.

Joe Biden will participate in a town hall in his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania Thursday.

President Joe Biden