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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Email:
mscerbo@rosemoserallynpr.com
Local Governments, Environmental Groups, Water Users, And Arizona Coalitions Rally In Support Of CRIT’s Right To Lease Water
Colorado
River Indian Tribes Poised To Utilize Authority Once Congress Acts
Following the conclusion of a listening session held by the Arizona
Department of Water Resources in December, 2020, interested parties were
invited to submit public comment on the proposal. Supportive comments,
including those written by CAWCD, SRP, Phoenix and numerous
environmental organizations, outnumbered comments in opposition by a
margin of 7:1.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores stated, “These endorsements from such
diverse groups make a compelling case to Congress that this bill will
provide needed drought relief, affirm CRIT’s sovereignty and create
economic opportunities for our region.”
The proposal by CRIT would enable the tribe to lease portions of its
federal water allocation that have previously been consumptively used.
These leases could help provide Arizona with water for critical
environmental projects and needed drought relief while creating
significant new economic opportunities for CRIT Tribal members. In 2019,
by a margin of more than 60%, CRIT members voted to give the Tribal
Council authority to seek enabling federal legislation to lease water.
That support now extends well beyond the Tribal borders.
The Water for Arizona Coalition sent a letter of support to the Arizona
Department of Water Resources which states in part:
“This legislation
and its related agreements would remove a critical barrier CRIT faces in
fully using its water rights by authorizing CRIT to lease, exchange and
store underground a portion of its consumptively used decreed Colorado
River water allocation off of its reservation, within the Lower Basin of
the State of Arizona.” The Water for Arizona Coalition is
chaired by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and supports innovative
practices and smart policies to ensure a reliable water supply to meet
Arizona’s water needs.
The National Audubon Society also weighed in stating the legislation
would provide
“exactly the kind
of flexibility needed to save the life of the Colorado River.”
Local government supporters include the cities of Phoenix, Gilbert, and
Peoria as well as the Mohave County Board of Supervisors. Arizona
Municipal Water Users Association, which serves 10 municipalities, says
the proposed legislation advances
“equity among
Arizona water users,” and legislation could “reduce unsustainable
groundwater withdrawals.”
The Salt River Project sent a letter of support which said the
legislation would,
“provide
important resources for off-reservation water users while also providing
the Tribes with financial resources that are critically needed on the
Tribes’ reservation.”
Central Arizona Water Conservation District’s letter of support states
the legislation offers, “great
promise with many more years of partnership,” and “support opportunities
to provide Arizona Tribes with Colorado River decreed water rights
greater flexibility to manage their resources.”
CAP General Manager Ted Cooke commented “CAWCD
and CRIT have an established relationship working collaboratively on
numerous projects over the last five years…This proposed legislation is
a significant and historic change for CRIT.”
Support extends beyond correspondence to ADWR.
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has issued a resolution
in support of legislation that permits Tribal governments such as The
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to lease water off the
reservation. The NCAI resolution states in part:
“Water leasing
authority presents unique economic development opportunities for tribal
nations, while helping local non-Indian communities address critical
impacts from ongoing drought conditions.” The NCAI,
established in 1944, is the oldest and largest national organization of
American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments.
Pinal Central, a media outlet that serves Pinal County, published an
editorial which states,
“This is an idea
that is definitely worth exploring...” If passed and signed into law the proposed federal legislation would allow CRIT to lease a portion of its federally adjudicated water right off its reservation, as numerous other Arizona tribes that have Congressionally enacted water settlements are already permitted to d | ||